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10th National Convention of Agrivision–2026
GS III – Agriculture
Why in News?
The 10th National Convention of Agrivision–2026 was held in New Delhi on October 13–14, focusing on marketoriented agriculture, innovation and agrifood value chains.
Core issue: Indian agriculture needs to move beyond increasing production towards improving value addition, market access and farmers’ profitability.
Aim
- Connect agricultural students, scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and farmers.
- Promote agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship and industry–academia collaboration.
- Encourage demand driven cultivation and market linked production.
Notes
- Organised by Agrivision under the aegis of the ICAR Agricultural Education Division, according to the source material.
- Venue: ICAR–National Agricultural Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
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Exercise IBSAMAR IX – 2026
GS III – Defence
Why in News?
INS Tarkash reportedly arrived in South Africa to participate in the ninth edition of IBSAMAR, a trilateral maritime exercise involving India, Brazil and South Africa. The specific 2026 edition details should be checked against an official Indian Navy or Ministry of Defence release before publication.
What is IBSAMAR?
IBSAMAR is a trilateral naval exercise conducted by India, Brazil and South Africa to improve interoperability, maritime operational capabilities and cooperation among their navies.
INS Tarkash
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Feature
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Details
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Ship type
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Guided-missile stealth frigate
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Class
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Talwar class; also known as Project 11356
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Commissioned
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9 November 2012
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Built by
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Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia
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Hull number
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F50
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Indian Navy fleet
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Western Fleet, headquartered in Mumbai
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Key weapon
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BrahMos supersonic cruise missile
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Aviation component
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Chetak helicopter
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Primary roles
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Surface warfare, air defence and anti-submarine warfare
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Notes
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Feature
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Details
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Full form
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India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise
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Edition
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Ninth (IBSAMAR IX)
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Participants
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India, Brazil and South Africa
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Host country
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South Africa
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Venue
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Simon’s Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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Frequency
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Biennial
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First conducted
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2008
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Framework
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India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA)
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Theme
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“Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain”
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Indian Navy asset
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INS Tarkash with an integral Chetak helicopter
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First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting – Delhi Declaration 2026
GS II – International Relations
Why in News?
The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting reportedly concluded in New Delhi with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, according to the supplied material.
Core Issue
Transnational threats—including terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and terror financing—require coordinated regional law enforcement, intelligencesharing and legal cooperation.
Key Highlights of the Delhi Declaration
- Counterterrorism: Condemns terrorism, including cross border terrorism, and calls for coordinated action against radicalisation and violent extremism.
- Terror financing: Emphasises disrupting terrorist funding, money laundering and illicit financial flows.
- Drug trafficking: Calls for effective implementation of regional action plans on narcotic drugs and precursor chemicals.
- Human trafficking: Strengthens cooperation for prevention, victim rescue, rehabilitation and protection.
- Cybersecurity: Encourages cooperation against cybercrime, online fraud and the misuse of cyberspace by criminal networks.
- Legal cooperation: Emphasises mutual legal assistance, extradition related cooperation and implementation of existing conventions.
- Institutional cooperation: Supports coordination among law enforcement agencies and regular meetings of Home Ministers.
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Feature
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Fact
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Full form
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Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
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Established
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1997
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Founding declaration
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Bangkok Declaration
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Members
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Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand
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Secretariat
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Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Headquarters country
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Bangladesh
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First Home Ministers’ Meeting
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New Delhi, 13 October 2026 (as reported; verify with an official release)
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Declaration adopted
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Delhi Declaration (as reported)
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Key security convention
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BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organised Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking
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Convention entered into force
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March 2021
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Relevant Indian approaches
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Neighbourhood First and Act East policies
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Khajuraho’s Javari Temple
GS I – Art & Culture
Why in News?
The Archaeological Survey of India reportedly traced the missing head of an 11th-century Vishnu idol associated with the Javari Temple to an ASI store, bringing renewed attention to heritage conservation.
Chronology
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Period
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Historical development
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9th century CE
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The Chandela dynasty emerged as a major power in Bundelkhand, central India.
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c. 950–1050 CE
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Khajuraho flourished as a major centre of temple construction under Chandela rulers, including Yashovarman and Dhanga.
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c. 11th century CE
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Javari Temple was constructed and dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
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1986
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The Khajuraho Group of Monuments was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Modern period
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ASI conservation efforts focus on protecting the monument and managing associated artefacts.
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Notes
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Feature
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Key Fact
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Location
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Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh
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Dynasty
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Chandela dynasty
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Period
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Approximately 11th century CE
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Presiding deity
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Vishnu
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Architectural style
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Nagara style
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Temple tradition
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Medieval North Indian Hindu temple architecture
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Entrance feature
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Ornate makara-torana (decorative entrance arch)
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UNESCO status
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Part of the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, inscribed in 1986
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Conservation authority
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Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
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LTCG Tax and STT
GS III - Indian Economy
Why in News?
Ahead of Union Budget 2027, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she would consider stakeholders’ views on LTCG tax and STT. She also reiterated that the RBI aims to curb excessive rupee volatility, not target a fixed exchange rate..
What are LTCG Tax and STT?
LongTerm Capital Gains (LTCG) Tax
LTCG tax is levied on profits earned from the sale or transfer of capital assets held for a specified period.
- Purpose: Tax gains arising from the appreciation in asset values.
- Applicability: Depends on the asset class, holding period and applicable tax provisions.
- Equity shares: The tax treatment depends on the statutory conditions, including applicable securities transaction tax requirements.
Securities Transaction Tax (STT)
STT is a tax levied on specified transactions involving securities traded through recognised stock exchanges.
- Purpose: Generate revenue from securitiesmarket transactions.
- Collection: Generally collected through the recognised securitiesmarket transaction mechanism.
- Key feature: It is linked to the transaction value, not merely to the profit earned.
LTCG vs STT
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Basis
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LTCG Tax
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STT
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Tax base
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Capital gains or profit
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Value of specified securities transactions
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Nature
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Tax on gains
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Transaction-based tax
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Profit required?
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Generally, a taxable capital gain must arise
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No profit is required
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When applicable?
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On taxable transfers, subject to applicable provisions
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On specified taxable securities transactions
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Economic concern
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May affect investment returns and holding decisions
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May increase transaction costs and affect trading activity
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Why Is the Simultaneous Levy Being Debated?
Arguments for rationalising the taxes
- Investment returns: LTCG tax reduces the posttax return on investments.
- Transaction costs: STT adds to the cost of buying or selling securities, irrespective of whether the investor makes a profit.
- Market competitiveness: High transaction costs can influence trading activity and the attractiveness of Indian markets.
- Capital formation: More favourable tax treatment may encourage participation in equity markets and longterm investment.
Arguments for retaining both
- Different tax bases: LTCG tax targets gains, whereas STT targets specified transactions; therefore, they are not identical taxes.
- Revenue mobilisation: Both can contribute to government revenue.
- Administrative considerations: STT provides a relatively straightforward mechanism for collecting tax on specified exchange transactions.
- Speculative activity: Transaction based taxation may influence very frequent trading, although its effectiveness depends on the rate and market conditions.
Possible Economic Implications of a Tax Change
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Stakeholder
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Potential implication
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Retail investors
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Lower taxes could improve net investment returns.
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Long-term investors
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LTCG relief could increase post-tax returns.
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Active traders
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STT reduction could lower transaction costs.
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Government
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Tax concessions could reduce revenue unless offset elsewhere.
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Stock exchanges and intermediaries
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Changes in transaction costs may influence trading volumes.
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Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs)
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Tax policy changes may affect investment decisions and capital flows.
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Beirut: Lebanon’s Capital at the Crossroads of West Asian Geopolitics
GS I - Geography | II - International Relations
Why in News?
Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, has featured amid renewed Israel–Hezbollah tensions, Israeli military operations in Lebanon and diplomatic efforts to restore stability and strengthen the Lebanese state''s authority over weapons.
Geographical Location
- Country: Lebanon
- Capital: Beirut
- Region: Levant, West Asia
- Water body: Mediterranean Sea, along Lebanon''s western coast
- North and East: Syria
- South: Israel
- West: Mediterranean Sea; Cyprus lies farther west.
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Location
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Significance
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Beirut
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Capital of Lebanon
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Tripoli
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Major city in northern Lebanon
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Sidon (Saida)
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Coastal city south of Beirut
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Tyre (Sour)
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Southern coastal city of Lebanon
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Beqaa Valley
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Fertile valley between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges
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Litani River
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Important river flowing entirely within Lebanon
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Lebanon Mountains
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Mountain range running broadly parallel to the Mediterranean coast
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Anti-Lebanon Mountains
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Mountain range along Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria
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Blue Line
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UN-identified line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel; not a formally agreed international border
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Cyprus
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Island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, west of Lebanon
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Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): A Growing Environmental and Public Health Challenge
GS III – Environment, Pollution, Public Health and Science & Technology
Why in News?
Recent studies have raised concerns about PFAS contamination in India''s groundwater, surface water and sewage. The issue highlights gaps in monitoring persistent chemical pollutants and protecting drinking water sources.
Understanding PFAS
PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals characterised by strong carbon–fluorine bonds. These bonds make many PFAS highly resistant to degradation.
- Forever chemicals: Many PFAS persist in the environment for years or longer, although their persistence varies by compound.
- Industrial utility: Their resistance to water, oil, heat and stains makes them useful in non stick cookware, waterproof textiles, food packaging, firefighting foams and industrial coatings.
- Environmental mobility: Some PFAS can travel through water and soil, contaminate groundwater and enter aquatic ecosystems.
- Bioaccumulation: Certain PFAS accumulate in organisms, potentially increasing exposure through food chains.
Environmental and Health Impacts
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Dimension
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Implications
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Water security
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Persistent contamination can compromise drinking-water sources and increase treatment costs.
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Human health
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Exposure to certain PFAS is associated with immune effects, liver effects, developmental problems and reproductive impacts.
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Cancer risk
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The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies PFOA as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
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Ecosystems
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Persistent chemicals can contaminate aquatic habitats and accumulate in certain organisms.
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Intergenerational concerns
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Long-lasting exposure and some PFAS'' persistence in the human body raise concerns about long-term health effects.
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Why Is PFAS Pollution Difficult to Control?
- Chemical persistence: Conventional natural processes break down many PFAS very slowly.
- Diverse chemical family: Thousands of PFAS exist, with different properties, uses and toxicological profiles.
- Detection challenges: Monitoring requires specialised analytical equipment and laboratory capacity.
- Treatment limitations: Conventional wastewater treatment may not effectively destroy PFAS; removal from water can transfer contamination into concentrated waste.
- Legacy contamination: Chemicals released in the past can remain in soil, groundwater and waste sites long after their use is restricted.
- Regulatory complexity: Controlling a few wellknown compounds may leave other PFAS or precursor chemicals unaddressed.
IndiaSpecific Concerns
- Drinking water standards: The supplied context highlights the absence of PFA Sspecific limits under IS 10500:2012. This creates a need to assess whether existing drinking water standards adequately address these emerging contaminants.
- Industrial hotspots: Industrial clusters, textile and chemical manufacturing facilities, landfills and fire fighting training areas warrant risk based surveillance.
- Monitoring capacity: PFAS specific testing needs specialised equipment, standardised sampling protocols and reliable laboratory networks.
- Public health equity: Communities dependent on contaminated groundwater may face greater exposure and have fewer alternatives for safe drinking water.
- Polluter accountability: Identifying sources and assigning responsibility for remediation can be difficult where contamination is widespread or historical.
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Preventive Detention
GS II – Indian Polity
Why in News?
The Supreme Court reportedly directed the Centre and Delhi Police to prevent unlawful detentions and safeguard freedom of movement amid protests related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the Chief Election Commissioner.Core Issue
Preventive detention allows the State to detain a person to prevent anticipated harmful conduct rather than punish an offence already committed. It creates a constitutional tension between national security and public order on one hand, and personal liberty and procedural fairness on the other.
Key Supreme Court Cases on Preventive Detention
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Case
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Key legal principle
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Babulal Parate v. State of Maharashtra (1961)
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Preventive detention powers are not unlimited and must be exercised within the limits prescribed by law.
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Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)
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Any procedure depriving a person of personal liberty must be just, fair and reasonable.
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Khudiram Das v. State of West Bengal (1975)
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Judicial review can examine whether detention rests on relevant material and whether the authority acted lawfully; communicating grounds helps check arbitrary detention.
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Shaik Nazneen v. State of Telangana (2022)
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Preventive detention is an exceptional measure and should not be used routinely when ordinary criminal law is sufficient.
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Ameena Begum v. State of Telangana (2023)
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Preventive detention must comply with constitutional safeguards, including the principles underlying the golden triangle of Articles 14, 19 and 21.
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Constitutional Framework
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Provision
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Key significance
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Article 21
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Protects life and personal liberty. Deprivation of liberty must follow a procedure established by law that is just, fair and reasonable.
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Article 22(1)–(2)
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Provides safeguards against ordinary arrest, including the right to know the grounds of arrest, consult a legal practitioner and be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, excluding journey time. Constitutional exceptions apply.
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Article 22(3)(b)
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Excludes persons detained under preventive detention laws from the specific safeguards under Article 22(1)–(2).
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Article 22(4)
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Generally prohibits preventive detention beyond three months unless the constitutional conditions are satisfied, including the applicable Advisory Board review requirements. Exceptions and additional safeguards are constitutionally prescribed.
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Article 22(5)
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Requires the detaining authority to communicate the grounds of detention as soon as may be and provide the earliest opportunity to make a representation against the detention.
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Seventh Schedule, Union List, Entry 9
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Covers preventive detention for reasons connected with defence, foreign affairs or the security of India.
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Seventh Schedule, Concurrent List, Entry 3
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Covers preventive detention for reasons connected with the security of a State, maintenance of public order, or maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community.
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Right to Protest and Public Order
GS II – Polity, Fundamental Rights and Governance
Why in News?
Delhi Police reportedly de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and Central Business District Ground as alternatives, renewing debate over balancing peaceful protest with public order and citizens’ rights.
Key Supreme Court Judgments
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Case
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Principle established
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Himat Lal K. Shah v. Commissioner of Police (1973)
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Public meetings on streets may be regulated, but peaceful assemblies cannot be arbitrarily prohibited.
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Ramlila Maidan Incident (2012)
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Protected peaceful assembly and condemned excessive police force.
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Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India (2018)
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Rejected blanket restrictions on protests at Jantar Mantar; emphasised balancing protesters’ and residents’ rights.
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Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police (2020)
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Public roads cannot be occupied indefinitely for protests, obstructing ordinary movement.
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Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020)
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Restrictions must satisfy proportionality and be justified by the circumstances.
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Notes
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Provision
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Key significance
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Article 19(1)(a)
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Guarantees freedom of speech and expression, including expressing dissent.
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Article 19(1)(b)
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Guarantees the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
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Article 19(3)
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Permits reasonable restrictions on peaceful assembly in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India and public order.
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Section 163, BNSS, 2023
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Empowers an Executive Magistrate to issue urgent preventive orders to address apprehended danger or nuisance. An order ordinarily lasts up to two months, with a possible State Government extension of up to six months.
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Section 168, BNSS
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Requires police officers to prevent cognisable offences to the best of their ability.
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Section 172, BNSS
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Requires compliance with lawful police directions and provides for specified measures against resistance or disregard of such directions.
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Article 239AA(3)(a)
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Excludes public order and police from the Delhi Legislative Assembly’s legislative domain, subject to the constitutional framework for Delhi.
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Soybean Varieties NRC 268 and NRC 270
GS III – Science & Technology / Agriculture
Why in News?
ICAR–National Soybean Research Institute, Indore, showcased the improved soybean varieties NRC 268 and NRC 270, with preliminary yields reported at approximately 20 quintals per hectare.
Significance
- Oilseed self reliance: Higher domestic production can help reduce edible oil import dependence.
- Climate resilience: Greater tolerance to adverse weather can stabilise yields.
- Agricultural diversification: Improved seed varieties can support productivity in soybean growing regions.
- Industrial applications: Soybean supplies edible oil and protein rich meal for livestock feed.
Notes
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Feature
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Key Fact
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Scientific name
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Glycine max
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Crop season in India
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Primarily Kharif
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Varieties
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NRC 268 and NRC 270
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Developing institution
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ICAR–National Soybean Research Institute, Indore
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NRC 270
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Reported in the supplied source as a bold-seeded variety
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Major uses
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Edible oil, food products and protein-rich animal feed
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Agricultural importance
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Oilseed production and import substitution
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Towards a TBFree India
GS II – Health | Government Policies and Interventions
Why in News?
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) campaign across 11 states and 55 districts, mobilising youth networks, NCC cadets and grassroots communities to accelerate TB elimination.
Core Issue
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major publichealth challenge in India. Early diagnosis, preventive care, nutritional support and community participation are essential to reduce transmission and achieve elimination.
Aim
- Early detection: Identify undiagnosed TB cases through active screening and accessible diagnostics.
- Treatment adherence: Improve treatment completion through nutritional and financial support.
- Prevention: Reduce transmission and drug resistance through quality assured treatment.
- Community mobilisation: Reduce stigma and encourage timely health careseeking.
Tuberculosis (TB)
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Term
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Key fact
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Causative organism
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis
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Transmission
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Airborne transmission through infectious particles released by a person with pulmonary or laryngeal TB
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NTEP
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National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
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Nikshay Poshan Yojana
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Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)-based nutritional support for notified TB patients
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Nikshay Mitra
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Community-supported assistance to TB patients under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
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MDR-TB
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TB resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the two key first-line anti-TB drugs
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SDG Target 3.3
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Target to end the TB epidemic by 2030
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ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram
GS II – Education
Why in News?
Lakshadweep was declared a fully literate Union Territory under the ULLAS–Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, according to the provided source material.
ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society. It is the Government of India’s centrally sponsored adult education programme, also known as the New India Literacy Programme (NILP).
Key Features
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Feature
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Key Fact
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Nodal ministry
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Ministry of Education
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Scheme period
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2022–23 to 2026–27
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Target group
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Non-literate persons aged 15 years and above
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Main objective
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Functional literacy and lifelong learning
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Policy foundation
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National Education Policy (NEP), 2020
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Assessment
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Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT)
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Implementation
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Community participation and volunteer-based teaching
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Five Components of ULLAS
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy - Reading, writing and basic arithmetic.
- Critical Life Skills - Financial, digital, legal and healthcare awareness.
- Basic Education - Preparatory, middle and secondarylevel equivalency education.
- Vocational Skills - Skill development for employment and livelihoods.
- Continuing Education - Lifelong learning in subjects such as science, arts, technology and culture
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