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DAILY • UPSC CSE • PPSC • CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.50%

Why in News?

The RBI Monetary Policy Committee raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% and shifted its stance from neutral to calibrated tightening. The newspaper links this decision to inflation risks, higher crude oil prices and West Asia tensions.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Repo rate: 5.50%; Standing Deposit Facility: 5.25%; MSF and Bank Rate: 5.75%.
• One basis point equals 0.01 percentage point.
• RBI projects real GDP growth of 7.1% and CPI inflation of 5.2% for FY 2026-27.
• Revise the MPC, inflation targeting, monetary transmission and liquidity adjustment facility.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Indian Economy, Inflation, Monetary Policy

Revision Note: Repo hike = Inflation control + Borrowing costs + Growth trade-off.

2. Cauvery Water Dispute and Karnataka’s Review Demand

Why in News?

Karnataka has signalled in the Supreme Court that it may seek reconsideration of Cauvery water allocation, citing changed climatic and hydrological circumstances. It referred to the Indus Waters Treaty debate as an example of reconsidering water arrangements.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• The 2018 Supreme Court judgment is a key milestone in the Cauvery dispute.
• The newspaper reports annual allocations of Karnataka 284.75 TMC ft, Tamil Nadu 404.25 TMC ft, Kerala 30 TMC ft and Puducherry 7 TMC ft.
• Revise Article 262, Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 and Cauvery Water Management Authority.
• Understand distress-sharing during weak monsoons and the southwest/northeast monsoon distinction.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Federalism | GS-I: Geography | GS-III: Water Resources

Revision Note: Cauvery = Federalism + Tribunal + Climate Change + Equitable Water Sharing.

3. India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, 1996

Why in News?

A Bangladeshi river expert argued that the Ganga Water Treaty, due to expire in December 2026, should be reconsidered to account for climate change, ecological flows and possible Nepal participation. These are the expert’s proposals, not an agreed new treaty.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• The 1996 treaty concerns dry-season Ganga water sharing at Farakka.
• The treaty was concluded between India and Bangladesh for 30 years.
• Ghaghara, Gandaki and Kosi connect Nepal’s Himalayan river systems with the Ganga basin.
• Revise transboundary water diplomacy, environmental flows and Farakka Barrage.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: India–Bangladesh Relations | GS-I: Rivers

Revision Note: Ganga Treaty = Farakka + Dry-Season Flows + Climate Change + Regional Cooperation.

4. Supreme Court and CEC Appointment Law

Why in News?

The Supreme Court agreed to consider an application seeking recall of a September 23 split verdict concerning referral of a challenge to the 2023 Election Commissioners’ appointment law. The application raises a judicial disclosure and conflict-of-interest question.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Article 324 establishes the Election Commission of India.
• The 2023 appointment law governs selection of the CEC and other Election Commissioners.
• The selection committee under the law includes the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.
• Revise judicial recusal, institutional independence and Constitution Benches.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Constitution, Elections and Judiciary

Revision Note: EC Independence = Article 324 + Appointments + Judicial Accountability.

5. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 — Chirality

Why in News?

The newspaper reports that Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai received the 2026 Chemistry Nobel for work explaining how chemical reactions can amplify tiny molecular asymmetries and favour one mirror-image form.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Chiral molecules can occur as non-superimposable mirror-image forms.
• Enantiomers may have different biological effects.
• Asymmetric catalysis can favour the desired molecular form.
• Applications include pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and fragrances.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: Science and Technology | Prelims: Chemistry

Revision Note: Chirality = Mirror Images + Catalysis + Drug Safety.

6. India’s Trade with the USA and China

Why in News?

An economic analysis in the newspaper explains that India’s trade surplus with the United States helps offset its structural merchandise trade deficit with China. Higher US tariffs could weaken export receipts and increase pressure on the rupee.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Distinguish trade deficit from current account deficit.
• Differentiate merchandise trade and services trade.
• Tariffs can affect exports, capital flows and exchange rates.
• Export-market diversification and stronger manufacturing are possible policy responses.

Mains Perspective

GS-III: External Sector, Trade and Exchange Rates

Revision Note: Trade Resilience = Export Diversification + Competitiveness + Stable External Balance.

7. Leprosy Elimination — India’s Uneven Progress

Why in News?

The newspaper’s data analysis reports 91,783 new leprosy cases in 2025-26, above the projection of 65,000. India’s national prevalence rate was 0.56 per 10,000 in March 2026, but some States and districts still exceeded the elimination threshold.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
• Elimination as a public-health problem uses a prevalence threshold below one case per 10,000 people.
• Elimination is not the same as zero transmission or eradication.
• Revise multidrug therapy, contact tracing and single-dose rifampicin post-exposure prophylaxis.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Public Health | GS-III: Science

Revision Note: Leprosy = National Progress + Local Hotspots + Early Detection + Disability Prevention.

8. FCRA, Religious Organisations and Constitutional Rights

Why in News?

The Madras High Court examined FCRA registration in a case involving a trust linked to a Zen meditation centre. The ruling raises questions about accurate declaration of an organisation’s religious nature and restrictions on foreign funding.

Prelims Facts & Static Connection

• FCRA regulates receipt and use of foreign contributions.
• Sections 11 and 12 concern registration or prior permission and certification.
• Article 25 protects freedom of conscience and religion, subject to constitutional limitations.
• Distinguish a religious organisation’s eligibility to apply from compliance requirements and grounds for refusal.

Mains Perspective

GS-II: Governance, Fundamental Rights and Regulation

Revision Note: FCRA = Foreign Funding + Transparency + Religious Freedom + Public Interest.

📰 Mains Focus – Monetary Policy, Inflation and Growth

The RBI’s rate increase illustrates the challenge of controlling inflation while protecting economic growth. Rising international energy prices can raise domestic production and transport costs, while tighter interest rates may moderate demand and credit expansion.

Mains Takeaway: Monetary policy should be assessed alongside supply-side inflation, fiscal responses, external shocks and financial stability.

⚡ Prelims Concept – Repo, SDF and MSF

• Repo rate: The rate at which RBI lends to eligible banks against collateral under repurchase arrangements.
• SDF: Facility for absorbing liquidity without collateral.
• MSF: Overnight borrowing window for scheduled commercial banks, subject to rules.
• MPC: Six-member committee determining the policy repo rate to achieve the inflation target.

⚡ Rapid Revision – Other Important News

• Balwant Singh Rajoana Mercy Petition: Centre opposed commutation plea; revise Articles 72 and 161, clemency powers and delay in mercy petitions. Particularly relevant for Punjab PCS.
• Scheduled Tribe Status and Religion: Arunachal Christian Forum alleged a bank software issue; revise Article 342 and the distinction between ST recognition and religious affiliation.
• POCSO Act: Telangana reported 62 male child victims in January–September 2026; the law protects children irrespective of gender.
• Battery Energy Storage: Kerala and NTPC plan a 2,000 MWh BESS; revise MW versus MWh, renewable integration and grid flexibility.
• IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Located at the South Pole; revise neutrinos, Cherenkov radiation and collaborative scientific research.
• Wildlife Conservation Editorial: Focus on species recovery, habitat protection and community participation.
• Child Custody: Karnataka High Court called for the term “parenting time” instead of “visitation”; revise child welfare and family courts.

🔥 Most Important Topics for UPSC & PPSC Today

• RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.50%
• Cauvery Water Dispute and Karnataka’s Review Demand
• India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty, 1996
• Supreme Court and CEC Appointment Law
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 — Chirality
• India’s Trade with the USA and China
• Leprosy Elimination — India’s Uneven Progress
• FCRA, Religious Organisations and Constitutional Rights

Article 262 deals with adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys.

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