DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 21st October 2026

Economy | International Organisations | Standards and Consumer Protection

Why in the news?

India will host the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) for the first time in New Delhi from 26–28 October 2026. The Department of Consumer Affairs is organising it in association with OIML, with more than 100 international delegates expected. 

Key facts about OIML

• Full name: International Organization of Legal Metrology.
• Established: 1955.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Nature: Intergovernmental organisation and international standard-setting body.
• India’s membership: Since 1956.
• Objective: Harmonise legal metrology laws and procedures internationally to support accurate measurement, fair trade and consumer protection. 

Functions

• Develops international recommendations and standards for measuring instruments used in trade, healthcare, industry, safety and environmental protection.
• Promotes harmonised requirements for instruments such as weighing machines, fuel dispensers, clinical thermometers and speed-measuring devices.
• Operates the OIML Certification System (OIML-CS) to facilitate acceptance of instrument type evaluations and test results across participating countries.
• Helps reduce technical barriers to international trade and duplication in testing and certification. 

Important institutional distinction

• OIML: Develops international recommendations and model requirements for legal metrology.
• CIML: International Committee of Legal Metrology; guides OIML’s technical and administrative work.
• BIPM: International Bureau of Weights and Measures; supports global measurement science and the International System of Units (SI).

Sources:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2324997&reg=48&lang=1

Governance | Digital Initiatives | Road Transport Infrastructure

Why in the news?

On 19 October 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) introduced a Toll Plaza Feedback feature on the Rajmargyatra mobile application, enabling highway users to rate toll-plaza services and report concerns. 

Key facts

• Developed by: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
• Purpose: Provide integrated information and services to users travelling on National Highways.
• Languages: English, Hindi and more than 13 regional languages. 

Major features

• Toll Plaza Feedback: Users can rate their experience, select relevant feedback options and add remarks. FASTag Annual Pass users receive notifications after crossing a National Highway toll plaza; other users can access the feature through the app menu.
• Highway information: Details of toll plazas, petrol pumps, hospitals, hotels and other amenities, along with weather updates.
• EnRoute route planner: Displays toll plazas along routes, including National, State and private plazas, and provides toll-cost estimates.
• Complaint redressal: Enables users to report highway-related issues and track complaints.
• FASTag services: Supports Annual Pass management, pass validity checks and access to FASTag-related services.
• Emergency assistance: Provides access to the 1033 National Highway Helpline. 

Rajmargyatra vs NHAI One

Both are digital initiatives associated with NHAI, but serve different purposes. 

Sources:

https://ddnews.gov.in/en/nhai-launches-toll-plaza-feedback-feature-on-rajmargyatra-app-to-enhance-user-experience/

International Relations | Defence Exercises | India–Australia Relations

Why in the news?

The 5th edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND commenced on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The exercise is scheduled to continue until 1 November 2026. 

Key facts

• Participating countries: India and Australia.
• Type: Annual bilateral military exercise between the two armies.
• Indian contingent: Troops from the Garhwal Rifles, along with personnel from other arms and services.
• Australian contingent: Troops from the Australian Army’s 13 Brigade.
• Personnel: Approximately 120 soldiers from each country.
• Theme: “Joint Sub-Conventional Operations in Island and Coastal Environment under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.” 

Objectives and activities

• Enhance interoperability, jointmanship and operational coordination.
• Develop a common understanding of tactics, techniques and procedures.
• Practise surveillance, reconnaissance and protection of vital installations.
• Conduct joint planning, tactical drills and combat-oriented training in island and coastal environments.
• Improve coordination for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
• Strengthen mutual trust and contribute to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Sources: 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2325246&reg=48&lang=1

Agriculture | Digital Governance | Government Schemes

Why in the news?

The Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched the upgraded Agri Welfare Portal on 19 October 2026 to provide farmers with single-window access to government schemes, subsidies, financial assistance and agricultural information. 

Key features

• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• Single-window access: Provides information and services related to PM-KISAN, AgriStack and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) through a common interface.
• Online services: Enables farmers to check scheme eligibility and submit applications.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Supports transparent delivery of financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries.
• Agricultural information: Provides updates on weather, scientific farming practices, seed and fertiliser availability, and market prices.
• Stakeholder integration: Aims to connect farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), agricultural scientists, researchers and startups.
• Digital accessibility: Designed for basic smartphones and weak internet connectivity; includes screen-reader support and simplified navigation for persons with disabilities.
• Capacity building: A special training campaign through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) is planned to help farmers use the portal and other digital tools. 

Significance

• Reduces the need to visit multiple government offices or websites.
• Improves access to agricultural schemes, information and financial support.
• Promotes transparency and reduces dependence on intermediaries.
• Advances digital inclusion among small and marginal farmers.

Sources:

https://ddnews.gov.in/en/agri-welfare-portal-launched-to-provide-farmers-single-window-access-to-schemes-subsidies-and-services/

Defence and Security | Indigenous Defence Technology | Innovation

Why in the news?

The Indian Navy will organise the fifth edition of Swavlamban, its flagship Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, on 26–27 October 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. The event aims to translate indigenous innovations into operational naval capabilities and strengthen Aatmanirbharta. 

Key facts

• Organiser: Indian Navy.
• Started: 2022.
• Nature: Annual Naval Innovation and Indigenisation (NIIO) seminar.
• Participants: Defence innovators, startups, MSMEs, industry, academia, investors and the armed forces.
• Core objective: Connect the Navy’s operational requirements with India’s domestic technological and manufacturing capabilities.

Major focus areas

• Maritime surveillance: Improving monitoring and awareness across maritime domains.
• Counter-UAS: Technologies to detect and counter unmanned aircraft systems.
• Artificial intelligence and quantum technologies: Advanced decision-support, sensing and secure communications.
• NBCD: Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Damage Control capabilities.
• Safety and efficiency: Technologies to improve naval personnel safety and operational effectiveness.
• Indigenous innovation: Supporting development, testing, production and commercialisation of domestic defence technologies. 

Related initiatives and outcomes

• iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Ministry of Defence initiative that supports startups, MSMEs and innovators developing defence and aerospace technologies.
• NIIO: Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation, which facilitates innovation and indigenisation within the Indian Navy.
• Swavlamban 2026 publications: The seminar is scheduled to release the Swavlamban 5.0 Document, the Compendium on Technology Imperatives, and NAUSETU interface standards. 

Sources: 

https://raksha-anirveda.com/swavlamban-2026-from-innovation-to-naval-capability/

Agriculture | Plant Pathology | Crop Protection

Why in the news?

Coconut growers in Tiptur taluk, Tumakuru district, Karnataka, have raised concerns over the spread of bud rot disease, which damages the crown and growing point of coconut palms. 

Key facts

• Causal organism: Phytophthora palmivora, an oomycete (water mould), commonly described as a fungus-like pathogen.
• Affected crop: Coconut (Cocos nucifera).
• Vulnerable plants: Palms of all ages can be affected, but young palms are generally more susceptible.
• Favourable conditions: Heavy rainfall, high humidity, relatively low temperatures and waterlogged conditions.
• Disease progression: The pathogen attacks the terminal bud and surrounding soft tissues. If the growing point is destroyed, the palm cannot recover. 

Symptoms

• Yellowing of one or two young leaves.
• Spear (central) leaf becomes pale, withers and may be pulled out easily.
• Rotting of tender leaf bases and crown tissues into a soft, slimy mass with a foul smell.
• Drooping of successive leaves, followed by crown collapse and death of the palm.

Management

• Inspect coconut plantations regularly, particularly during the monsoon.
• Remove infected tissues at an early stage and apply recommended treatments, such as 10% Bordeaux paste, under agricultural expert guidance.
• Apply preventive 1% Bordeaux mixture to the crowns of neighbouring palms where recommended.
• Remove and safely destroy severely infected or dead palms; improve drainage and maintain plantation hygiene. 

Sources:

https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/coconut-growers-in-tiptur-taluk-worried-as-bud-rot-disease-threatens-trees-4188554#google_vignette

GS III – Internal Security and Cybersecurity

Cyber Threats, AI Governance, Data Protection and Institutional Accountability

Introduction

The growing use of autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents is expanding cybersecurity risks beyond conventional hacking. A recent CERT-In advisory highlights threats from agents exceeding authorised limits and malicious actors exploiting agentic AI tools. India’s challenge is not merely reporting cyber incidents but detecting breaches early, enforcing accountability and protecting personal data in an increasingly automated digital ecosystem.

Background and institutional framework

• CERT-In: India’s national agency for responding to cybersecurity incidents under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
• IT Act, 2000: Provides the legal framework for electronic transactions, cyber offences and incident response.
• CERT-In Directions, 2022: Require specified entities to report listed cybersecurity incidents within six hours of noticing them.
• Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: Establishes obligations relating to personal data protection and security safeguards, with implementation dependent on notified commencement timelines and rules.
• Emerging challenge: Autonomous AI agents can perform reconnaissance, interact with digital systems and exploit vulnerabilities with limited direct human intervention.

Significance of the issue

• National security: Government databases and critical information infrastructure are potential targets for espionage, disruption and sabotage.
• Economic security: Data breaches can cause financial losses, operational disruptions and reputational damage.
• Citizen protection: Exposed personal information increases risks of identity theft, fraud and privacy violations.
• AI governance: Autonomous systems challenge conventional accountability frameworks built around identifiable human actions.
• Digital trust: Effective cybersecurity is essential for confidence in Digital India, digital payments and online public services.

Key challenges

• Reactive cybersecurity: The 2022 six-hour reporting requirement applies after incidents are noticed; it cannot compensate for weak detection capabilities. 
• Basic security failures: Exposed passwords, leaked credentials and excessive cloud permissions allow AI agents to exploit existing vulnerabilities at greater speed.
• Legal accountability gap: Existing laws do not comprehensively resolve responsibility when autonomous agents exceed their authorised tasks without explicit human direction.
• Institutional opacity: Limited public postmortem reporting weakens transparency, organisational learning and democratic accountability.
• Data protection preparedness: Organisations must strengthen safeguards before substantive DPDP Act obligations become applicable under the notified phased timeline.
• Public-sector vulnerability: Legacy systems, skills shortages and fragmented security arrangements hinder timely detection and response.

Critical analysis

India’s cybersecurity framework has established incident-reporting obligations and a national response mechanism. However, compliance is not equivalent to resilience. The CERT-In advisory exposes a gap between formal reporting requirements and actual organisational capacity to detect intrusions.

The Supreme Court’s judgment in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) recognised privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21, strengthening the constitutional imperative to protect personal information.

A balanced framework must combine cybersecurity enforcement with responsible AI innovation, proportionate regulation and protection for legitimate security research.

Way forward

1. Proactive detection: Mandate continuous monitoring, endpoint detection, threat hunting and periodic security audits, especially for government systems and critical infrastructure.
2. AI-specific safeguards: Require sandboxed testing, least-privilege access, human oversight, real-time containment and clear accountability for AI developers and deployers.
3. Stronger data protection: Align cybersecurity practices with DPDP obligations, including appropriate safeguards and breach-response procedures.
4. Safe harbour for researchers: Establish clear legal protections for good-faith vulnerability testing under defined authorisation and disclosure protocols.
5. Transparent governance: Publish anonymised incident postmortems, remediation outcomes and information about affected-user notification, while protecting genuinely sensitive operational details.
6. Institutional accountability: Review the broad RTI exemption for CERT-In and strengthen independent oversight without compromising national security.

Conclusion

India must shift from a compliance-driven approach to anticipatory cyber resilience. Stronger detection, accountable AI development, privacy protection and transparent institutions can reduce vulnerabilities before they become major breaches. A risk-based framework, grounded in constitutional rights and proportionate safeguards, will help secure India’s digital economy while preserving innovation, public trust and democratic accountability.

UPSC Mains practice question

1. India’s cybersecurity challenge lies less in the absence of reporting requirements than in the inability to detect breaches proactively.” Critically examine this statement in the context of autonomous AI agents, data protection and institutional accountability. (15 marks, 250 words)

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/unknown-vulnerabilities-on-the-cybersecurity-advisory-by-cert-in/article71604650.ece

GS II – Governance / GS I – Society
Women’s Empowerment, Rural Livelihoods, and Market Access

Introduction

The SARAS Melas, organised under DAY-NRLM, connect rural women entrepreneurs with wider markets, buyers, and business opportunities. The Vijayawada edition marks the first National SARAS Mela outside Delhi-NCR, bringing together women entrepreneurs from 34 States and UTs. Running from 13-31 October 2026 at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, it features around 1,500 women SHG entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis showcasing products through 650+ stalls. The platform strengthens DAY-NRLM’s efforts to promote sustainable livelihoods and supports the Lakhpati Didi vision of income growth. Digital platforms like eSARAS extend market access beyond physical events.

From Rural Livelihoods to Market Access

The DAY-NRLM Framework

• Flagship Programme: Reducing rural poverty; promoting women’s economic empowerment.
• SHGs and Federations: Works through them; supports financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.
• Market Ecosystem: Product visibility, branding, links with physical, digital, and institutional markets.

Why Market Access Matters

• Beyond Production: Enterprise growth depends on more than production.
• Needs: Sell beyond immediate communities; feedback; better product presentation; buyer connections.
• SARAS Melas: Practical bridge between these needs and market opportunities.

The SARAS Journey: From 65 Beneficiaries to a National Marketplace

Evolution

• Begun: 1999; first National SARAS Mela in Delhi with ~65 beneficiaries.
• Expanded: National, regional, state, and district levels.
• National Melas: 117 held; annual sales exceeding ₹200 crore.
• State-Level Melas: Minimum two per State/UT per year; national average ~50 events annually.

The Vijayawada Milestone

• First National Mela Outside Delhi-NCR: Reflects wider development approach—taking national platforms closer to producers and consumers.
• Aligns With: Decentralisation of other national events (BRICS, G20 meetings at regional levels).

Lakhpati Didi: Making Livelihoods Sustainable

Definition and Target

• Lakhpati Didi: SHG member whose household earns at least ₹1 lakh annually on a sustainable basis (assessed over four agricultural seasons/business cycles).
• Target Evolution: Two crore (August 2023) → Three crore (Interim Budget 2024-25) → Achieved by December 2025 → Enhanced target of six crore (February 2026).
• Next Phase: Sustaining income gains; helping enterprises grow.

SARAS Mela’s Role

• Transition: From livelihood creation to enterprise growth.
• Opportunities: Bulk orders; institutional sales; longer-term market connections.

Vijayawada: A National Marketplace with Regional Reach

Products Showcased

• Phulkari (Punjab); Pashmina (J&K); Ikat and Telia textiles (Telangana); Paunchei (Mizoram).
• Also: Meenakari, Dokra, brasswork, woodcraft, traditional paintings.

Signature Feature

• “SHAKTI – The Spirit of Lakhpati Didi”: 16-foot installation symbolising collective strength of women.

Partners

• NABARD; NIRDPR.

Thematic Pavilions

Lakhpati Didi Pavilion

• Showcases: Women earning ₹10 lakh+ annually, including ₹1 crore+.
• Purpose: Share journeys, products, business models, market strategies.
• Peer Learning: Helps women identify approaches suited to their skills.

Learning and Knowledge Pavilion

• Topics: Packaging, branding, business proposals, e-commerce, social media marketing.
• Engagement: NABARD, FICCI, CII, ITC, Hindustan Unilever, Amazon, Flipkart.

Convergence Pavilion

• Purpose: Connect entrepreneurs with credit, skills, technology, quality certification, government support.
• Organisations: Ministry of Tribal Affairs; MSME; Textiles; ONDC; GeM; TRIFED.

Demonstration Pavilion

• Live Demonstrations: Pottery, needlework, mirror-work embroidery.
• Purpose: Practical learning; appreciation of craftsmanship.

India Food Court

• Scale: 50 food stalls; 200+ first-generation women food-service entrepreneurs from 28+ States/UTs.
• Cuisines: Litti Chokha (Bihar); Hyderabadi Dum Biryani; Mushroom Pitha (Assam); Makke Di Roti with Saag (Punjab); Vana Sundari (Kerala); Chausela (Chhattisgarh).

Cultural Showcases

• Traditional Art Forms: Crafts, textiles, music, dance from participating regions.

Digital Integration

Payments

• UPI Transactions: Convenient, transparent.
• Coupon-Based Cash: For elderly citizens and those preferring cash—inclusive and seamless.

Beyond the Mela

• eSARAS Platform: Online route for customers to discover and purchase SHG products.
• SARAS Gallery: Physical presence.
• SARAS Mela Digital App (2025): SHG nominations, attendance management, event information.

Conclusion

The Vijayawada National SARAS Mela represents an expansion of the market-access platform into a new region—the first National Mela outside Delhi-NCR. It brings together 1,500 women SHG entrepreneurs and Lakhpati Didis from 34 States/UTs, showcasing products through 650+ stalls. Thematic pavilions—Lakhpati Didi, Learning, Convergence, Demonstration—create opportunities for selling, learning, and institutional connections. The India Food Court and cultural showcases celebrate regional diversity. Digital integration through UPI, eSARAS, and the SARAS Mela Digital App extends market access beyond the event. At its heart, the National SARAS Mela is about the women behind every product, craft, and enterprise—and the journey from skill to enterprise, enterprise to market, and market to sustainable livelihood. It promotes Vocal for Local and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Practice Question

1. SARAS Melas connect rural women entrepreneurs with wider markets, buyers, and business opportunities, supporting the Lakhpati Didi vision of income growth. Critically examine the role of SARAS Melas in promoting women’s entrepreneurship and rural livelihoods. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2325711&reg=3&lang=1