DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 16th September 2026

Science & Technology

Why in News?

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has developed SARAL AI to simplify complex scientific research and patents and make them accessible to wider audiences. A recent PIB release highlighted its use by CSIR-NIScPR for wider dissemination of scientific research. 

What is SARAL AI?

• SARAL = Simplified and Automated Research Amplification and Learning. 
• It is an AI-based science communication platform developed as an initiative of ANRF. 
• It converts complex research publications and patents into easily understandable formats such as: 
  • Podcasts 
  • Short videos 
  • Posters/infographics 
  • Business briefs 
  • Presentations 
  • Social-media content. 

Key Features

• Researchers can upload papers through arXiv links or LaTeX files. 
• AI extracts relevant content and figures and generates scripts. 
• AI voice synthesis creates audio narration. 
• Automated video production combines narration, slides and visuals. 
• Supports dissemination in 18 Indian languages, helping overcome linguistic and technical barriers. 

UPSC Static–Dynamic Link

ANRF was established under the ANRF Act, 2023 to promote and fund research and innovation across universities, institutions, laboratories and industry.

Sources:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2310298&reg=48&lang=1

International Relations

Why in News?

India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to facilitate acceptance of electronic certificates of origin, thereby promoting faster and more efficient trade. 

What is MERCOSUR?

• MERCOSUR = Southern Common Market (Mercado Común del Sur). 
• A South American regional economic integration bloc. 
• Established through the Treaty of Asunción (1991). 
• Founding members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. 
• Venezuela joined later but remains suspended from the bloc. 
• Bolivia has become a member following its accession process. 
• Headquarters/Secretariat: Montevideo, Uruguay. 

Key Objectives

• Promote free movement of goods, services and factors of production among members. 
• Establish a common external tariff and coordinate trade policies. 
• Facilitate regional economic integration. 
• Expand intra-regional trade and investment. 

India–MERCOSUR Linkage

• India and MERCOSUR signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2004, which entered into force in 2009. 
• The PTA provides preferential tariff treatment for selected products. 
• The First Additional Protocol focuses on accepting electronic Certificates of Origin, reducing paperwork and improving customs efficiency. 
• Brazil and Argentina are particularly significant economic partners for India in South America. 

Sources: 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2310083&reg=48&lang=2

Economy

Why in News?

The Government launched the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections on 18 August 2026, and it came into effect from 1 September 2026. It aims to accelerate the conversion of inactive/unbilled PNG connections into active, billed household connections and expand PNG networks to new areas. 

Key Features

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. 
• Implementing entities: Eligible City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities, authorised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). 
• Coverage: PNGRB-authorised CGD entities operate across 309 Geographical Areas (GAs) covering the mainland. 
• India had around 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections as of 18 August 2026. 
• The scheme operates in two tranches over six months. 
• A threshold number of connections is fixed for each GA. 
• For every incremental billed domestic PNG connection above the threshold, an eligible CGD entity receives an additional allocation of 200 Standard Cubic Metres (SCM) of domestically produced APM gas. 

How Does the Incentive Work?

The additional lower-priced APM gas can substitute costlier LNG currently procured by CGD entities for their CNG (Transport) segment. This reduces overall gas-sourcing costs and is expected to reduce the capital payback period for domestic PNG connections from about 10 years to nearly 3 years. 

Supporting Measures

• Accelerated approval framework for PNG infrastructure. 
• Standardised Right-of-Way (RoW) charges. 
• States encouraged to reduce VAT on natural gas to 5%. 
• National PNG Drive 2.0. 
• Unified digital PNG registration portal under development. 

Sources:

https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx?id=151009&NoteId=151009&ModuleId=16&reg=3&lang=1

Environment & Ecology

Why in News?

Researchers have discovered Steneucyrtus wayanadensis, a new species of darkling beetle, in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala. The discovery was made during a scientific survey in the Chethalayam Forest and has been published in the Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 

Key Features

• Taxonomy: Genus Steneucyrtus; family Tenebrionidae (darkling beetles). 
• Appearance: Blackish body with a distinctive golden-green metallic iridescence. 
• Its hard front wings, or elytra, are completely flat and lack rough/wrinkled texturing. 
• Specimens were collected at night using light traps. 
• The species name wayanadensis refers to its type locality, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Important Associated Discovery

The same survey also led to the rediscovery of Steneucyrtus pexicollis, a species that had not been documented in India since its original description in 1896. 

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary – Prelims Facts

• Located in Kerala and forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. 
• It lies within the Western Ghats biodiversity landscape. 
• Established in 1973 and covers about 344 sq km. 
• It comprises the Tholpetty and Muthanga regions. 
• It is connected ecologically with protected areas including Nagarhole, Bandipur and Mudumalai. 

Sources:

https://researchmatters.in/news/new-shimmering-golden-green-beetle-species-discovered-in-wayanad-wildlife-sanctuary

Environment & Ecology

Why in News?

A new frog species, Ingerana aizawl, has been formally recognised from Hratdawng Stream on the Mizoram University campus, Aizawl, adding to evidence of the rich and under-recorded amphibian diversity of Northeast India. The species was described in Zootaxa in September 2026. 

Key Facts

• Scientific name: Ingerana aizawl 
• Location: Hratdawng Stream, Mizoram University campus, about 15 km west of central Aizawl. 
• Family: Dicroglossidae. 
• It is a small, stout-bodied frog; adult males measure about 22–25.5 mm, while females measure 24.4–26 mm in snout-to-vent length. 
• It has a wrinkled dorsal surface, circular tympanum and small rounded discs on fingers and toes. 
• It is mainly dark brown to reddish-brown, with a dark lateral band and dark brown/blackish iris with a faint copper tint. 

Scientific Significance

The species had earlier been misidentified as Ingerana borealis. Researchers used an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological characteristics with mitochondrial 16S rRNA DNA analysis, to establish it as a distinct species.

It differs genetically from its closest relative, I. occidens, by 4.8–6.6%, while divergence from I. borealis populations in Arunachal Pradesh is substantially higher. 

Habitat & Behaviour

• Closely associated with streams, wetlands and marshes. 
• Recorded between 94 and 823 m elevation. 
• Mostly encountered at night on wet rocks in or beside flowing streams. 
• Breeding activity was observed mainly during the May–July monsoon period. 

Sources:

https://nenow.in/environment/new-frog-species-discovered-on-mizoram-university-campus-in-aizawl.html

Indian Society

Why in News?

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed authorities to urgently rehabilitate Paniya tribal families living in makeshift tarpaulin shelters at Vaniyampuzha, across the Chaliyar River in Pothukal panchayat, Kerala. The families have reportedly remained in temporary shelters for several years. 

About Paniya Tribe

• The Paniya/Paniyan are one of the major Scheduled Tribes of Kerala and constitute the largest tribal community in Wayanad. 
• Major concentration: Wayanad; also found in Kannur, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. 
• They are traditionally associated with agricultural labour and historically experienced systems of bonded/attached labour. 
• The community has faced longstanding challenges related to land, livelihood, housing, education and socio-economic development. 
• The Paniya language belongs to the Dravidian linguistic family and is closely associated with the linguistic environment of Kerala. 

Vaniyampuzha Context

• The affected settlement is in Pothukal panchayat, Malappuram district, across the Chaliyar River. 
• The rehabilitation issue highlights the vulnerability of tribal communities to displacement, inadequate housing and delayed rehabilitation. 

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/the-hindu-impact-rights-panel-orders-rehabilitation-after-vaniyampuzha-tribal-families-spend-7-years-in-plastic-tents/article71456637.ece#google_vignette

Environment & Ecology

Why in News?

A 12-year study (2010–2022) has found that no tigers live permanently in Kawal Tiger Reserve (KTR) in Telangana. Researchers recorded only occasional/transient tiger movement into the reserve, highlighting the challenge of maintaining a breeding population. 

About Kawal Tiger Reserve

• Location: Northern Telangana, along the Godavari River. 
• Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2012. 
• It forms part of the southernmost extent of the Central Indian Tiger Landscape. 
• Ecological linkages exist with Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) and Indravati Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh). 
• Rivers/catchments: Godavari and Kadam; local rivulets include Peddavagu. 
• Vegetation: Predominantly Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, with teak and bamboo. 

Why Are Tigers Absent?

The study indicates that the reserve has suitable prey, but lacks a stable breeding population of tigers. Researchers and conservationists have highlighted poor habitat connectivity and fragmented wildlife corridors as important constraints on tiger dispersal. Roads, railway lines, mining and expanding settlements have created bottlenecks in movement routes. 

Importantly, the absence of resident tigers does not mean the reserve lacks wildlife; it supports species such as nilgai, chital, sambar, chousingha, blackbuck, leopard, wild dog and wolf. 

UPSC Static–Dynamic Linkage

Tiger Reserve: A designated area for tiger conservation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) playing a key statutory role.

Sources:

https://scroll.in/article/1095608/telanganas-tiger-reserve-with-no-tigers

GS III – Science & Technology | GS II – International Relations

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming economies, governance and national security, but its development is increasingly shaped by US–China technological competition. The BRICS push for open-source and collaborative AI highlights an alternative model based on equitable access, technological sovereignty and global cooperation. India’s approach seeks to balance innovation and strategic autonomy with responsible, inclusive and secure AI development.

Significance of Cooperative AI Governance

• Strategic: Prevents AI from becoming exclusively an instrument of great-power rivalry. 
• Economic: Reduces technological dependence of developing countries on a few firms/countries. 
• Developmental: AI can improve healthcare, agriculture, education and public services. 
• Security: Joint cyber-defence, AI safety standards and threat intelligence can address emerging AI-enabled risks. 
• Global South: Open-source models can improve access to affordable, multilingual and locally relevant AI. 

Key Challenges

• Geopolitical: US–China rivalry, export controls and fragmented technology ecosystems. 
• Economic: High cost of GPUs, data centres, energy and skilled manpower. 
• Technological: Dependence on foreign chips, compute and foundational models. 
• Cybersecurity: Autonomous AI systems could amplify cyberattacks and misinformation. 
• Ethical: Algorithmic bias, privacy violations, deepfakes and accountability gaps. 
• Environmental: Growing AI compute increases electricity, water and critical-mineral requirements. 

India’s Approach

• IndiaAI Mission: ₹10,371.92 crore outlay for compute, datasets, indigenous models, skilling and responsible AI. 
• NITI Aayog’s “AI for All”: Focus on healthcare, agriculture, education and inclusive development. 
• Constitutional safeguard: Puttaswamy judgment (2017) established privacy as a fundamental right, relevant to data-intensive AI. 
• Strategic autonomy: Cooperate with multiple technology ecosystems without becoming locked into competing blocs. 

Way Forward

• Create BRICS AI commons for datasets, compute, multilingual models and safety research. 
• Develop indigenous capacity across chips → compute → data → models → applications. 
• Adopt risk-based AI regulation with stronger safeguards for high-risk systems. 
• Establish international mechanisms for AI incident reporting, safety testing and cyber-threat sharing. 
• Promote open, secure and accountable AI, rather than unrestricted openness. 
• Integrate Green AI principles into data-centre and computing policies. 

Conclusion

India should pursue technological sovereignty without isolation and openness without compromising security. BRICS can complement G20 and UN initiatives by giving developing countries greater voice in AI governance. The objective should be an AI ecosystem that combines innovation, accessibility, constitutional rights and human welfare, ensuring that AI becomes an instrument of inclusive development rather than another source of global inequality.

Mains Practice Question

1. Artificial Intelligence should not become another arena of great-power rivalry. Analyse the role India and BRICS can play in creating an open, safe and inclusive global AI governance framework. Discuss. (250 Words, 15 Marks)

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/ai-cooperation-on-artificial-intelligence-at-a-crossroads/article71468418.ece

GS III – Economy
National Accounts, Statistical Methodology, and Economic Measurement

Introduction

Changing the GDP base year is not just about changing how we calculate economic growth; it can also change our estimate of how large the economy was in rupee terms—nominal GDP. With the recent base revision to 2022-23, India’s nominal GDP was revised down by about 2.7% in 2022-23, 3.5% in 2023-24, and 3.8% in 2024-25. However, India is not alone: rebasing exercises in Nigeria, Indonesia, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, China, and Spain all resulted in revisions. The important question is not simply why the number changed, but what changed in data or methods—and the major driver in India’s case is the improved measurement of the unincorporated services sector.

Sector-Wise Revisions: Not Uniform

Upward Revisions

• Agriculture and Allied Activities: +3.8% to +5.9%
• Financial Services, Real Estate, Professional Services, Ownership of Dwellings: +7.8% to +9.0%
• Hotels and Restaurants GVA: +5.7%

Downward Revisions

• Trade and Transport, Storage: -23% to -26%
• Trade GVA: -36%
• Road Transport: -16.9%

The Key Driver: Unincorporated Sector

• Old Series (2011-12): Unincorporated sector estimated by moving forward benchmark estimates with proxy indicators.
• New Series (2022-23): ASUSE (Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises) and PLFS (Periodic Labour Force Survey) provide a more direct basis for measurement.

International Context and Statistical Practice

Global Rebasing Exercises

• Nigeria (2014), Indonesia (2014), Brazil (2015), South Africa (2018), Mexico (2019), China (2021), Spain (2024): All resulted in revisions to previously estimated nominal GDP levels.
• India’s Earlier Shift: From base year 2004-05 to 2011-12 also changed the estimated size of the economy.

World Bank’s Assessment (April 2026)

• Nominal GDP Revised Down: 3-4% in each of the four years from FY23, mainly due to reassessment of the informal economy.
• Revised Series: Shows quarterly growth (FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26) to be less volatile and more broad-based than previously estimated.

Carry-Forward Effect

• Methodology Change: When FY 2022-23 GDP estimate was revised, the change carried forward into subsequent years.
• Implication: Does not mean the economy suddenly became smaller or slowed down; part of the change reflects a different, better-measured starting point.

Challenges

• Headline Focus: Media attention on downward revision overlooks upward revisions in several sectors.
• Sectoral Variation: Revisions are far from uniform; unincorporated sector varies sector to sector.
• Communication: Need to explain that revisions reflect better measurement, not economic contraction.

Way Forward

• Sector-Wise Analysis: Assess revisions across sectors, not just headline numbers.
• Transparency: Continue publishing methodological notes and comparative tables.
• Capacity Building: Strengthen statistical systems (ASUSE, PLFS, GST, IIP).
• International Practice: Align with global standards; learn from other countries’ rebasing exercises.

Conclusion

The new GDP series (base year 2022-23) should be judged not by a single headline revision, but by the effort to make the measurement of the Indian economy more current. The downward revision of nominal GDP by 2.7-3.8% is driven mainly by improved measurement of the unincorporated services sector, using ASUSE and PLFS data. Sector-wise revisions are far from uniform: agriculture, financial services, and real estate were revised up, while trade and transport were revised down. The real test of a statistical system is not whether its numbers remain unchanged, but whether it is willing to change them when better evidence becomes available.

Practice Question

1. The recent GDP base revision, driven by improved measurement of the unincorporated sector, reflects better evidence rather than economic contraction. Critically examine the sector-wise revisions, the role of ASUSE and PLFS, and the implications for India’s statistical system. (250 words, 15 marks)

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/decoding-indias-gdp-base-revision/article71469721.ece