DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 28th October 2026

Environment & Ecology | Land Degradation | Sustainable Mining | Green Technology

Why in the news?

Tata Steel has introduced hydroseeding technology at its West Bokaro Division in Ramgarh district, Jharkhand, to restore mining-affected land, stabilise mine-dump slopes and control soil erosion. More than 50 acres, including mining areas, nurseries and mine dumps, have been covered under the initiative. 

What is Hydroseeding?

• A mechanised technique of establishing vegetation by spraying a specially prepared slurry over bare soil.
• The slurry generally contains:
  • Seeds (grasses, shrubs and other suitable vegetation).
  • Water.
  • Mulch (wood fibre or cellulose).
  • Fertilisers and soil conditioners.
  • Binding agents or tackifiers to help the mixture adhere to the soil.
• Specialised hydroseeding machines spray the mixture uniformly over large and difficult-to-access areas. 

How does it work?

1. Slurry preparation: Seeds, mulch, water, fertilisers and soil-enhancing materials are mixed in a tank.
2. Spraying: The mixture is sprayed under pressure over exposed land and steep slopes.
3. Moisture retention: Mulch retains moisture and protects seeds from being washed away.
4. Germination: Seeds germinate and establish vegetation.
5. Slope stabilisation: Plant roots bind soil particles, helping reduce erosion and improve slope stability.

Key features of Tata Steel’s initiative

• Location: West Bokaro Division, Ramgarh district, Jharkhand.
• Coverage: More than 50 acres.
• Machine spray range: Up to 50 metres.
• Slope coverage: Dump slopes extending up to 80 metres.
• Primary objective: Restore vegetation on overburden dumps and mined-out areas while reducing manual intervention. 

Environmental significance

• Soil conservation: Reduces water- and wind-induced soil erosion.
• Slope stability: Vegetation roots help bind loose soil and reduce landslide risks.
• Mine reclamation: Accelerates restoration of degraded mining landscapes.
• Water conservation: Mulch helps retain soil moisture.
• Biodiversity: Establishment of suitable native vegetation can support habitat recovery.
• Worker safety: Reduces the need for manual plantation on steep and unstable slopes.

Hydroseeding vs Hydroponics

Sources: 

https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Oct/25/tata-steel-introduces-hydroseeding-to-restore-mined-land-in-jharkhand

Internal Security | Defence Technology | Indigenous Defence Manufacturing

Why in the news?

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved capital acquisition proposals worth approximately ₹2.12 lakh crore on 26 October 2026 for the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Around 82% of the proposed procurement value will be sourced from Indian industry, supporting domestic defence manufacturing. 

Major procurement proposals

Important defence technologies

• VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System): Portable or compact air-defence systems designed to engage low-flying aerial threats, including aircraft, helicopters and drones.
• C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aerial System): Detects, tracks and neutralises hostile drones through electronic or kinetic measures.
• AODS (Active Offboard Decoy System): A naval defensive system that deploys decoys away from a ship to confuse or divert incoming anti-ship missiles.
• Kamikaze drones: Loitering munitions designed to locate and strike targets by crashing into them.
• Gun Shot Response System (GSRS): Provides real-time situational awareness by helping identify the source and location of hostile firing.
• Mobile X-Band Doppler Weather Radar: Provides high-resolution, localised weather monitoring, particularly in forward operational areas. 

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)

• Established: 2001.
• Chairperson: Defence Minister.
• Parent ministry: Ministry of Defence.
• Purpose: Expedites procurement of modern military equipment and strengthens the armed forces’ capabilities.
• Key function: Grants Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals.
• Objective: Promote modernisation, operational preparedness and indigenous defence production.

What is Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)?

AoN is the initial in-principle administrative approval for a proposed defence acquisition. It does not mean that a procurement contract has been signed or equipment has been purchased.

Broad procurement sequence:

1. Identification of operational requirement.
2. Acceptance of Necessity by DAC.
3. Preparation and issuance of Request for Proposal (RFP).
4. Technical evaluation and trials.
5. Commercial negotiations.
6. Contract approval and signing.
7. Production, delivery and induction.

Significance

• Atmanirbhar Bharat: Greater participation of Indian defence manufacturers.
• Military modernisation: Strengthens mobility, surveillance, air defence and precision-strike capabilities.
• Drone warfare preparedness: Enhances both offensive drone capabilities and counter-drone defence.
• Joint operational capability: Supports modernisation across all three services.
• Defence industrial ecosystem: Creates opportunities for domestic manufacturers and component suppliers.

Sources: 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dac-clears-defence-procurement-proposals-worth-212-lakh-crore/article71627089.ece

Economy | Infrastructure Financing | Capital Markets

Why in the news?

India’s Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) are attracting a growing number of investors as they provide a channel for household savings to flow into income-generating infrastructure assets such as highways and power-transmission networks.

According to the Bharat InvITs Association (BIA), listed InvITs recorded the following figures in Q1 FY 2026–27:

• Investors: 6.53 lakh
• Assets Under Management (AUM): ₹7.3 lakh crore
• Quarterly distributions: ₹5,923 crore
• Cumulative distributions since inception: Over ₹97,000 crore. 

What are Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs)?

• InvITs are pooled investment vehicles, similar to mutual funds, that enable investors to invest in income-generating infrastructure assets.
• They pool money from investors and invest in assets such as highways, power-transmission lines, pipelines and renewable-energy infrastructure.
• Investors purchase units of the trust and receive distributions from the income generated by these assets.
• They provide exposure to infrastructure without requiring investors to directly own, operate or manage the underlying assets.

Regulator: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Introduced in India: 2014. 

How do InvITs work?

1. An infrastructure developer transfers completed, revenue-generating assets to an InvIT.
2. The trust raises funds by issuing units to institutional and retail investors.
3. Revenue from assets such as toll roads and transmission networks generates cash flows.
4. The trust distributes income to unitholders, as per applicable regulations.

Why are InvITs gaining popularity?

• Retail participation: Enable individual investors to access large infrastructure assets with relatively lower investment requirements.
• Regular income: Offer distributions linked to cash flows from operational assets.
• Asset monetisation: Help developers unlock capital invested in completed projects.
• Capital recycling: Developers can reinvest proceeds into new infrastructure projects.
• Domestic savings mobilisation: Channel household savings, along with institutional funds, towards long-term infrastructure financing.
• Diversification: Provide investors exposure to infrastructure as an asset class. 

Challenges

• Revenue risk: Returns depend on traffic, toll collections and utilisation of underlying assets.
• Interest-rate sensitivity: Higher interest rates can make InvIT distributions less attractive relative to debt instruments.
• Liquidity risk: Units may not always be easily sold at the desired price.
• Regulatory and operational risks: Changes in policy, tariffs or concession agreements can affect cash flows.
• Investor awareness: Retail investors need to understand that distributions and returns are not guaranteed.

Sources: 

https://www.thehindu.com/business/invits-eye-bigger-share-of-indias-savings/article71617304.ece/amp/

Science & Technology | Health | Non-Communicable Diseases

Why in the news?

A study presented at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2026 examined the benefits and risks of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in adults aged 80 years and above with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It highlights their potential benefits even among very elderly patients, while underlining the need for careful monitoring. 

What are SGLT2 inhibitors?

• SGLT2 inhibitors are a class of medicines primarily used to treat Type 2 diabetes and also provide kidney and cardiovascular protection.
• SGLT2 is a protein found mainly in the proximal tubules of the kidneys, responsible for reabsorbing filtered glucose back into the bloodstream.
• These medicines block SGLT2 activity, increasing the amount of glucose excreted through urine.
• Examples include dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and canagliflozin.

Key findings of the study

The research used electronic health records of 10,076 adults aged 80 years or older with CKD, with a two-year follow-up.

The analysis also identified higher risks of certain events, including heart attacks, acute heart failure and acute kidney injury. These findings are observational associations and do not establish causation. 

Why are these findings significant?

• Ageing population: CKD and diabetes are increasingly important public-health concerns among older adults.
• Evidence gap: People above 80 are often underrepresented in large clinical trials because of frailty and multiple health conditions.
• Beyond glucose control: SGLT2 inhibitors may offer kidney and cardiovascular benefits beyond lowering blood sugar.
• Individualised treatment: Age, kidney function, frailty, hydration status and other medications must be considered when assessing treatment risks.

Potential risks and precautions

• Dehydration and low blood pressure: Increased urination can contribute to volume depletion.
• Genital infections: Higher urinary glucose can increase the risk of genital fungal infections.
• Ketoacidosis: A rare but serious complication.
• Acute kidney injury: Requires clinical assessment, particularly in vulnerable patients.
• Frailty: Fluid loss and changes in blood pressure may be more consequential in older adults.

Sources:

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20261026/Geriatric-chronic-kidney-disease-patients-benefit-from-SGLT2-inhibition.aspx

Environment | Biodiversity | Species in News

Why in the news?

Chhattisgarh is set to get its first official state butterfly, the Orange Oakleaf (Kallima inachus), following its selection through a public online poll. The proposal was approved at the 15th meeting of the State Wildlife Board and forwarded to the state government for formal notification. 

Key facts

• Scientific name: Kallima inachus
• Family: Nymphalidae
• Common names: Indian Oakleaf / Dead Leaf Butterfly.
• Distribution: Tropical Asia, from India to Japan.
• Habitat: Subtropical and temperate forests, particularly areas with dense undergrowth and leaf litter.
• Altitude: Commonly reported at around 500–2,000 metres. 

Distinctive features

• Leaf mimicry: With its wings folded, it resembles a dry, withered leaf, including leaf-like patterns and veins.
• Colouration: Open wings display bright orange, black and deep blue shades.
• Camouflage: This adaptation helps it evade predators by blending into dry foliage.
• Feeding habits: It feeds mainly on fermenting fruits and tree sap rather than relying primarily on flower nectar.
• Mud-puddling: It visits moist soil to obtain minerals and salts. 

Selection process in Chhattisgarh

• Public online voting was conducted from 31 July to 31 August 2026.
• Total votes: 5,813.

The expert panel considered ecological significance, occurrence in the state, conservation value, distinctiveness and public appeal. 

Ecological significance

• Serves as an indicator of suitable forest habitats and vegetation.
• Supports biodiversity awareness and butterfly conservation.
• Its selection as a state symbol can encourage citizen participation in conservation.
• A 2025 statewide biodiversity survey recorded 201 butterfly species in Chhattisgarh. 

Sources: 

https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Oct/27/orange-oakleaf-to-become-chhattisgarhs-official-butterfly

GS III – Environment / GS III – Science & Technology
Carbon Management, Industrial Decarbonisation, and Climate Technology

Introduction

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is critical for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals, fertilisers and oil and gas. By converting CO₂ into a resource and enabling its secure storage, CCUS can support India’s Net Zero by 2070 target. Government initiatives involving research institutions, PSUs and private industry aim to develop indigenous technologies, carbon utilisation and storage capabilities.

The CCUS Process: From Capture to Storage

Step 1: Capture

• At Source: Industrial facility where CO₂ is generated.
• Separation: Capture systems separate CO₂ from gases released during combustion or industrial processes.
• Purification: Captured gas purified, dried, compressed into dense form.

Step 2: Transport

• Pipelines: Commonly used over suitable distances.
• Ships and Other Modes: Flexibility for longer distances.
• Choice Depends On: Distance, volume, infrastructure, destination.

Step 3: Utilisation or Permanent Storage

• Utilisation: Enhanced oil recovery, food and beverages, urea, green methanol, concrete.
• Permanent Storage: Deep underground injection—depleted oil and gas reservoirs, deep saline aquifers, basaltic rock formations.

The CCUS Hubs and Clusters Model

Rationale

• Regional Clusters: Connecting multiple CO₂ emitters with shared infrastructure.
• Shared Systems: Transport, utilisation, storage.
• Benefits: Economies of scale; reduced infrastructure risks; connecting supply with demand.
• NITI Aayog: Identifies hub and cluster approach as suitable for India.

Potential Regions (DST CCUS Roadmap 2025)

• Gujarat Coast: Refineries and chemical industries.
• Odisha–Jharkhand Belt: Steel and cement industries.
• Northeast India: Oil and gas resources.

Applications in India

Decarbonising Hard-to-Abate Sectors

• Sectors: Steel, cement, refineries/chemicals, fertilisers.
• Challenge: Emissions difficult to eliminate through electrification alone.
• Scale: Emissions from these sectors and thermal power expected to reach ~2,300 million tonnes per annum by 2030.

Enabling the Low-Carbon Hydrogen Economy

• Blue Hydrogen: Produced using natural gas or coal as primary feedstock.
• Coal Gasification: Converts solid coal into syngas using controlled heat (800°C-1,600°C); surface and underground methods.
• CCUS Role: Blue hydrogen production using coal gasification coupled with carbon capture.

Sustaining Existing Energy Infrastructure

• Fossil-Fuel Capacity: 45.12% of India’s total installed power capacity (August 2026).
• Retrofitting: CCUS can reduce emissions from existing thermal plants, steel, and cement facilities.
• Balance: Allows essential infrastructure to continue operating while reducing emissions.

Carbon Utilisation

• Building Materials: Concrete and aggregates.
• Synthetic Fuels and Chemicals: Polymers.
• Enhanced Oil Recovery: With underground carbon storage.
• Algae-Based Products: Biofuels.

Key Initiatives

India’s First CCU Test Beds in Coal-Gasification Facilities

• DST-Supported: Two Technology Deployment Testbeds.
• Consortia: IIT Delhi–Thermax Ltd; CSIR-IICT Hyderabad–BHEL.
• Purpose: Pilot-scale demonstrations for methanol and DME production.

India’s First Integrated CCUS Field Laboratory

• Location: IIT Bombay; inaugurated May 2026.
• Capacity: Up to 3 tonnes CO₂ per day from industrial emissions and ambient air.
• Process: Uses non-potable water; converts CO₂ into carbonate and bicarbonate products.
• Storage Assessment: Scientific drilling in Deccan Traps basalt formations.
• Significance: National testbed for indigenous carbon management technologies.

Union Budget 2026-27: CCUS Scheme

• Allocation: ₹20,000 crore over five years (announced February 2026).
• Sectors: Power, Steel, Cement, Refineries, Chemicals.

DST CCUS R&D Roadmap

• Launched: December 2025.
• Focus: Strategic direction for research, funding, technology development, deployment; commercial readiness; breakthrough technologies; enabling frameworks.

NITI Aayog CCUS Policy Framework

• Released: November 2022.
• Focus: Emissions reduction strategy; sector-specific policy interventions.

National CCUS Centres

• Established: 2022 at IIT Bombay and JNCASR, Bengaluru (DST-backed).
• Focus: Research, technology development, pilot-scale demonstration, industry collaboration.

Mission Innovation

• Collaboration: India with 13 partner countries.
• Focus: Capture, separation, safe storage, conversion of CO₂ into value-added materials.

First CCU Testbed Cluster for Cement Industry

• Launched: 11 May 2025 (DST-led).
• Model: Public-Private Partnership; leading cement companies and premier research institutions.
• Applications: CO₂ capture, mineralisation, conversion into concrete products.

India’s CCU Project Pipeline (As of April 2026)

Operational: 3 Projects

• Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra.

Under Construction/Execution: 6 Projects

• Andhra Pradesh (3), Telangana (2), Maharashtra (1).

Proposed: 16 Projects

• Assam (4), Odisha (4), Gujarat (2), Rajasthan (2), Andhra Pradesh (1), Madhya Pradesh (1), Haryana (1), Tamil Nadu (1).

Way Forward

Technology Development

• Indigenous Capabilities: Scale up CCUS research and demonstration.
• Cost Reduction: Improve capture efficiency; reduce energy penalty.
• Storage Assessment: Map geological formations; Deccan Traps basalt potential.

Policy and Financing

• Carbon Markets: Link CCUS to carbon credit mechanisms.
• Incentives: Tax benefits; capital support; viability gap funding.
• Standards: Safety, monitoring, verification.

Industrial Clusters

• Hub and Cluster Model: Gujarat coast; Odisha-Jharkhand belt; Northeast.
• Shared Infrastructure: Pipelines; storage sites; utilisation facilities.

International Cooperation

• Mission Innovation: Continue collaboration with partner countries.
• Technology Transfer: Learn from global best practices.
• Climate Finance: Access international funding for CCUS projects.

Conclusion

CCUS is vital for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, refineries and chemicals, whose emissions may reach 2,300 million tonnes annually by 2030. India has 3 operational, 6 under-construction and 16 proposed projects. Initiatives such as the ₹20,000 crore CCUS Scheme (Budget 2026–27), DST R&D Roadmap and NITI Aayog framework are strengthening indigenous capabilities. Hub-and-cluster development across Gujarat, Odisha-Jharkhand and the Northeast can reduce costs, promote carbon utilisation and advance India’s Net Zero by 2070 goal.

Practice Question

1. CCUS is an important pathway for reducing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors, supporting India’s Net Zero by 2070 vision while strengthening industrial competitiveness. Critically examine the technologies, initiatives, and challenges in developing India’s CCUS ecosystem. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2328830&reg=3&lang=1

GS III – Energy / GS III – Economy
Biofuels, Energy Security, and Petroleum Demand Structure

Introduction

India’s ethanol blending programme has advanced to E20 petrol, while amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, enable vehicles to run on 100% ethanol (E100). The initiative aims to reduce crude oil imports, save foreign exchange and strengthen energy security. However, its impact remains constrained by petroleum demand beyond transport fuels and technical limitations of refining. Thus, ethanol blending can reduce, but not eliminate, India’s dependence on imported crude oil.

The Scale Problem: Petrol vs. Diesel

India’s Crude Oil Dependence

• Import Dependence: Over 80% of crude oil requirements.
• Import Bill (2025): $137 billion.
• Exposure: Volatile international prices; geopolitical disruptions (West Asia conflict).

The Refining Asymmetry

• Petrol: Only 15-18% of petroleum products processed from a barrel of crude oil.
• Diesel: Approximately 44-45%.
• Implication: This asymmetry is central to understanding the limits of an ethanol-led strategy.

Consumption Gap (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25)

• Diesel: ~503 million tonnes.
• Petrol: ~200 million tonnes.
• Diesel’s Role: Freight transport, agriculture, industrial logistics—integral to economic activity.
• Projection: Road diesel driving much of the projected growth in oil consumption.

The Counterfactual: What E20 Actually Achieves

Modelling the Impact

• Reference Year (FY 2018-19): Petrol consumption at 28.28 million tonnes (at ~5% blending).
• 20% Blend Impact: Petrol consumption could decline by approximately 15.56%—accounting for ethanol’s lower energy content and reduced fuel economy.

The Refinery Constraint

• Crude Processing: Produces petrol, diesel, LPG, aviation turbine fuel, naphtha.
• Limited Flexibility: Refineries can alter product yields to some extent, but not unlimited.
• Diesel Constraint: Increasing diesel yield is constrained.
• Consequence: Lower petrol demand does not automatically translate into a commensurate reduction in crude oil throughput.

The Key Distinction

• Petrol Displaced by Ethanol: A meaningful reduction in petrol consumption.
• Expenditure Avoided on Petrol Supply: Different from import reduction.
• Actual Reduction in Crude Oil Imports: Related but different outcomes—policymakers must distinguish.

The Overlooked Opportunity: Biodiesel

Why Diesel Matters

• Largest Share: 44-45% of a barrel.
• Consumption: 503 million tonnes vs. 200 million tonnes petrol (FY21-FY25).
• Economic Role: Freight, agriculture, logistics.

Biodiesel’s Lag

• Target: 5% blending—lagged behind ethanol.
• Past Efforts: Jatropha—challenges of land availability, input costs, technology, long payback periods.
• Waste Oils: Used cooking oil—difficulties in aggregating feedstock from fragmented sources.

Way Forward for Biodiesel

• R&D Investment: Sustained research and development.
• Feedstock Collection: Improved systems.
• Supply Chains: Viable, commercially sustainable production.
• Technology: Support for commercially sustainable production.

Conclusion

While E20 and E100 can reduce petrol consumption, their impact on crude imports remains limited because petrol accounts for only 15–18% of a barrel, compared to diesel’s 44–45%. Refinery economics further limit import savings. Therefore, biofuel success must be measured by actual reductions in crude imports and expenditure, not blending volumes alone. India must expand biodiesel production and address the wider petroleum demand to achieve comprehensive energy security.

Practice Question

1. E100 and E20 address a relatively small component of India’s petroleum demand; the real test of the biofuel strategy is how effectively it reduces crude oil import dependence, not how much ethanol is blended. Critically examine. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ethanol-mirage-e100-india-oil-import-problems-10941885/