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26 October 2026

22 developments → 7 GS areas → 20 minutes · all editions · Read in: English · हिन्दी · ಕನ್ನಡ · తెలుగు · தமிழ் · मराठी · বাংলা · ગુજરાતી · ଓଡ଼ିଆ · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ

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Today's 20-minute UPSC session

26 October 2026 · read the priority topics, take the test, revise what you missed

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Today's UPSC priority

5 topics you cannot afford to miss — and why

  1. Feral dogs a major threat to vultures in the Thar desert, study findsEnvironment · asked in UPSC 2012; factual, Prelims-type
  2. Dakshin Gangotri: how India set up its first Antarctic baseScience & Tech · asked in UPSC 2015; factual, Prelims-type
  3. Form-7 row: first inquiry under the Representation of the People Act in ChittapurPolity · factual, Prelims-type
  4. PM inaugurates RBI Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in BhubaneswarEconomy · factual, Prelims-type
  5. India-US interim trade deal stuck over tariffsEconomy · factual, Prelims-type
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Personalise: exam · Prelims / Mains · subject
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Must read 5 · Important 8 · Quick scan 9

High Prelims + Mains value · PYQ-linked · read fully

EnvironmentGAPrelims ★★★★★ Mains ★★☆☆☆

Vultures vanished after one painkiller; now feral dogs threaten Thar's survivors: the diclofenac conservation case for GS3

Feral dogs a major threat to vultures in the Thar desert, study finds

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? Study names feral dogs as a threat to Thar vultures.

പ്രിലിംസ് Statement: Veterinary use of diclofenac was the main cause of the collapse of Gyps vulture populations in India.

മെയിൻസ് GS3 (Environment): species conservation. Diclofenac nearly wiped out India's vultures, and a ban on its veterinary use addressed one threat; the Thar …

🔁 PYQ · UPSC 2012Read · 2 min →Test
Science & TechGAPrelims ★★★★★ Mains ★★☆☆☆

Three Antarctic stations, one came first: the Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, Bharati order Prelims tests

Dakshin Gangotri: how India set up its first Antarctic base

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? A film revisits the setting up of India's first Antarctic station, Dakshin Gangotri.

പ്രിലിംസ് Dakshin Gangotri was India's first scientific base in Antarctica, established in the early 1980s.

മെയിൻസ് GS3 Science and Technology: India's polar research. Issue: sustaining a scientific presence in Antarctica since the early 1980s; policy: the progressi…

🔁 PYQ · UPSC 2015Read · 2 min →Test
PolityGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆

Form 6, 7 or 8? The electoral roll forms every Polity aspirant must tell apart

Form-7 row: first inquiry under the Representation of the People Act in Chittapur

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? First inquiry begins in the Form-7 bulk objections row at Chittapur.

പ്രിലിംസ് Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls in the Election Commission of India.

മെയിൻസ് GS2 (Polity – elections): Bulk Form-7 objections raise the issue of misuse of the deletion process, which threatens the integrity of electoral rolls a…

Read · 2 min →Test
EconomyGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆

Which city now hosts RBI's new data centre? The Bhubaneswar cyber-security facts GS3 banking questions test

PM inaugurates RBI Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? RBI's new data centre and cybersecurity training institute opened in Bhubaneswar.

പ്രിലിംസ് The Reserve Bank of India was established in 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934, and is headquartered in Mumbai.

മെയിൻസ് GS3 (Economy, Internal Security): Rising digital payments and cyber threats make banking infrastructure a critical asset. RBI's regulatory directions …

Read · 2 min →Test
EconomyGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆

Why an 18 per cent tariff is stalling the India-US interim deal: the GS2 and GS3 trade angle

India-US interim trade deal stuck over tariffs

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? India-US interim trade deal stalls over the 18 per cent tariff rate.

പ്രിലിംസ് An interim trade agreement covers limited areas such as tariff cuts on select goods, as a step towards a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement.

മെയിൻസ് GS2 (Bilateral relations) and GS3 (External trade): the stalled interim deal shows how tariff rates and domestic politics in both countries shape nego…

Read · 2 min →Test

Next: Important →

Know the fact and the angle · 1 minute each

EconomyGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆

RBI lends Rs 1.5 lakh crore for just four days: repo versus reverse repo, explained for GS3

RBI conducts 4-day Variable Rate Repo auction

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? RBI injects liquidity through a Rs 1.5 lakh crore four-day VRR auction.

പ്രിലിംസ് Under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility, a repo operation injects liquidity into the banking system while a reverse repo operation absorbs it.

മെയിൻസ് GS3 (Economy): Liquidity management is central to monetary policy transmission. The RBI uses LAF instruments such as VRR auctions to keep short-term r…

Read · 2 min →Test
EnvironmentGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆

Which cyclone grade is 'very severe'? The IMD wind-speed ladder every Geography and disaster-management answer needs

Bay of Bengal depression set to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? IMD warns of a very severe cyclone crossing the Andhra coast around 28 October.

പ്രിലിംസ് Statement: A 'very severe cyclonic storm' under IMD classification has sustained winds of 64-89 knots, higher than a 'severe cyclonic storm' and lower than an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm'.

മെയിൻസ് GS1 (physical geography) and GS3 (disaster management): the Bay of Bengal's warm waters make the east coast highly cyclone-prone, so early warning, cl…

Read · 2 min →Test
EnvironmentGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆

Who runs the Global Forest Resources Assessment? FAO's stocktake plus the Aravalli Green Wall, for GS3

Global Forest Resources Assessment and the Aravalli Green Wall

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? Quick scan: FAO publishes the FRA; the Aravalli Green Wall is an afforestation project.

പ്രിലിംസ് The Global Forest Resources Assessment is published periodically by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

മെയിൻസ് GS3 (Environment): land degradation and desertification are driven by deforestation, mining and urban pressure on fragile ranges like the Aravallis. A…

Read · 2 min →Test
International RelationsGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆

Which strait ends the Arctic shortcut India and Russia will test in 2027? A GS2 geography-plus-IR pairing

India and Russia plan pilot voyages on the Northern Sea Route in 2027

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? India and Russia to run pilot voyages on the Arctic Northern Sea Route in 2027.

പ്രിലിംസ് The Northern Sea Route runs along Russia's Arctic coast from the Kara Strait to the Bering Strait.

മെയിൻസ് GS2 (International Relations) and GS1 (Geography): the Arctic route offers a shorter link between Asia and Europe, which makes it relevant to India's …

Read · 2 min →Test
International RelationsGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★★☆☆

A Nobel Peace laureate returns from exile to a contested democracy: the Latin America question GS2 keeps asking

Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado returns to Venezuela after exile

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? Venezuela's opposition leader Machado returns home after months abroad.

പ്രിലിംസ് The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and the ceremony is held in Oslo.

മെയിൻസ് GS2 (International Relations – Latin America): Venezuela's contested democracy and the opposition's return from exile raise questions of electoral leg…

Read · 2 min →Test
Science & Tech
Science & TechGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆

Who tells states how to plan data centres? NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub framework for GS3

NITI Aayog's Frontier Tech Hub releases Data Centre Evaluation Framework

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? NITI Aayog framework helps states evaluate and plan data centres sustainably.

പ്രിലിംസ് The Frontier Tech Hub is part of NITI Aayog, not of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

മെയിൻസ് GS3 (Science & Technology, Infrastructure): data centres are the backbone of digital services and AI, yet states compete for them without a common yar…

Read · 2 min →Test
Science & Tech
Science & TechGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆

A string theorist wins a medal from Stockholm, not Oslo: the Oskar Klein Medal facts for Science awards

String theory pioneer Ashoke Sen wins Oskar Klein Medal

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? Ashoke Sen receives the Oskar Klein Medal for physics.

പ്രിലിംസ് The Oskar Klein Medal is awarded by Stockholm University in association with the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

മെയിൻസ് GS3 (Science and Technology): recognition of Indian theoretical physicists reflects the strength of India's fundamental research. Issue: basic science…

Read · 2 min →Test
Science & TechGAPrelims ★★★★☆ Mains ★★☆☆☆

One in 11 high-risk patients had it: melioidosis, the Burkholderia pseudomallei disease for GS2 Health

Melioidosis may be going undetected in India, study finds

വാർത്തയിൽ എന്തുകൊണ്ട്? A study flags under-detection of the deadly bacterial infection melioidosis.

പ്രിലിംസ് Melioidosis is a bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, found in soil and water.

മെയിൻസ് GS2 (Health) and GS3 (Biotechnology): an under-recognised environmental bacterial disease is probably going undetected because of weak diagnostics and…

Read · 2 min →Test

Next: Quick scan →

Headlines only · open if it is your optional or state

⚡ Quick facts 20

One line each · the facts exams ask

  1. ReportThe RBI Bulletin for October 2026 says data point to a broad-based increase in food prices.
  2. ReportForeign portfolio investors withdrew Rs 48,056 crore from Indian equities in October so far.
  3. SchemeThe RBI's four-day Variable Rate Repo auction of 26 October 2026 had a notified amount of Rs 1,50,000 crore.
  4. SchemeNHAI guidelines require at least one universally accessible toilet at each covered toll plaza, with QR code-based citizen feedback.
  5. WorldIndia and Russia are marking the 80th anniversary of their bilateral ties.
  6. WorldCuba is seeking support for its UN General Assembly resolution against the US economic blockade.
  7. ReportThe 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave heard a call for light-touch, risk-proportionate regulation from Rajiv Gauba.
  8. ReportNITI Aayog and the Indian Statistical Institute, Delhi Centre, published a study on national parameters for appraising public investment projects in October 2026.
  9. SchemeNITI Aayog held a National Workshop on SDG Budgeting in Kolkata with the West Bengal government and UNDP.
  10. SchemeThe National Urban Conference 2026 concluded with practical suggestions on urban governance for Viksit Bharat 2047.
  11. ReportThe RBI issued directions on minimum capital requirements for operational risk for commercial banks.
  12. SportsShadab and Rauf added a record 89-run last-wicket stand as Pakistan beat England.
  13. SportsAround 2,000 runners took part in the Kashmir marathon, and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it a boost to sports tourism.
  14. ReportThe FAO publishes the Global Forest Resources Assessment, the periodic worldwide stocktake of forests.
  15. AppointedVice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan is to visit Andhra Pradesh on 26-27 October.
  16. KarnatakaThe Karnataka Cabinet will discuss a proposal to set up a Buddhist university.
  17. KarnatakaThe Channavrushabhendra Irrigation Project for the Kittur region is estimated to cost Rs 520 crore.
  18. KarnatakaB-SMILE has floated tenders for three toll-free flyovers in Bengaluru costing Rs 1,320 crore.
  19. KarnatakaThe KEA will hold Kalyana Karnataka cadre recruitment exams in November 2026.
  20. KarnatakaBengaluru's e-khata open houses are set to resume from 31 October.

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PYQ connections · weekly & monthly tests · past editions

🔁 Today's PYQ connections (2)

Feral dogs a major threat to vultures in the Thar desert, study finds
🔁 PYQ CONNECTION · UPSC 2012

Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to

Dakshin Gangotri: how India set up its first Antarctic base
🔁 PYQ CONNECTION · UPSC 2015

The term 'IndARC', sometimes seen in the news, is the name of

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