Current Affairs 8th October

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Current Affairs 8th October

SAHAS IAS ACADEMY

Daily Current Affairs – 8 October 2026

GS-3 | ECONOMY

RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.5%

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the repo rate to 5.5% as part of its calibrated approach to maintaining price stability.

What is the Repo Rate?
The repo rate is the interest rate at which the RBI provides short-term funds to commercial banks against eligible government securities.

Key Economic Implications:

  • A higher repo rate increases the cost of borrowing for banks and consumers.

  • Costlier credit can moderate aggregate demand and help contain inflationary pressures.

  • However, prolonged monetary tightening may affect private investment and consumption.

  • The policy therefore involves balancing inflation control with economic growth.

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 – Indian Economy | Monetary Policy | Inflation

GS-1 | PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

Monsoon Rainfall: Second-Lowest Level in Seven Decades

Seasonal monsoon rainfall has recorded the second-lowest level in the past 70 years, raising concerns about its wider impact on agriculture, water resources and the rural economy.

Major Sectoral Impacts

Agriculture:
Lower rainfall can affect Kharif crop yields and may also disrupt the timely sowing of Rabi crops.

Water Resources:
Reduced precipitation can lead to declining reservoir levels and affect water availability for irrigation and other uses.

Power Generation:
Lower reservoir storage may reduce hydropower generation.

Rural Economy:
Agricultural stress can reduce rural purchasing power and contribute to food-price pressures.

UPSC Relevance: GS-1 – Physical Geography | Indian Monsoon | Agriculture

GS-3 | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Research on “Mirrored” Molecules

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has recognised pioneering research related to molecules with mirror-image structures, highlighting the importance of molecular chirality in science and medicine.

Understanding Chirality

Chiral molecules have structures that cannot be perfectly superimposed on their mirror images. They are comparable to the left and right hands, which are mirror images but not identical.

Why Is Chirality Important?

Chirality has major applications in the pharmaceutical sector because two mirror-image forms of the same molecule can interact differently with biological systems.

As a result:

  • One form may have a desired therapeutic effect.

  • Another form may produce a significantly different biological response.

  • Understanding molecular structure is therefore critical in drug development and pharmacology.

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 – Science & Technology | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals

GS-2 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

India–UAE Strategic Partnership: Scope for Deeper Cooperation

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have considerable potential to further expand their comprehensive strategic partnership across multiple sectors.

Key Areas of Cooperation

  • Bilateral trade and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

  • Sovereign and strategic investments

  • Renewable energy and hydrocarbons

  • Critical and emerging technologies

  • Multimodal logistics and connectivity

  • Food security and supply chains

Strategic Significance

The UAE occupies an important position in India's engagement with West Asia. Stronger India–UAE cooperation can also contribute to India's wider regional initiatives, including the I2U2 framework.

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 – International Relations | India–West Asia Relations | I2U2

GS-2 | POLITY & GOVERNANCE

Special Camps for Bengal Electoral Rolls Under SIR

Special camps are being conducted across West Bengal as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process to address issues related to electoral rolls and facilitate the inclusion of eligible voters.

Objective

The exercise seeks to:

  • Ensure eligible citizens are included in electoral rolls.

  • Reduce the possibility of wrongful exclusion.

  • Strengthen the principle of universal adult franchise.

  • Improve the accuracy and integrity of electoral records ahead of elections.

Constitutional Link

Article 324 gives the Election Commission of India (ECI) the constitutional authority of superintendence, direction and control over the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections.

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 – Election Commission | Electoral Reforms | Constitutional Bodies

GS-3 | ECONOMY & TRADE

India’s Trade Dependence on the U.S. Market

India faces a structural merchandise trade deficit with China, while its trade relationship with the United States provides an important source of export earnings.

This trade pattern highlights the importance of maintaining diversified and resilient international trade relationships.

Key Vulnerabilities

Any significant:

  • Increase in tariff barriers,

  • Decline in U.S. demand, or

  • Disruption in major export markets

could affect India's export revenues and place pressure on the current account, exchange rate and foreign-exchange position.

Way Forward

India needs to:

  • Diversify its export destinations.

  • Expand and strengthen its export basket.

  • Make effective use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

  • Integrate more deeply into regional and global value chains.

  • Improve domestic manufacturing competitiveness.

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 – International Trade | Balance of Payments | Export Competitiveness

GS-2 | SOCIAL JUSTICE

SBI Recruitment Portal and ST Category Selection Dispute

A forum in Arunachal Pradesh has raised concerns regarding a technical issue on an SBI recruitment portal that reportedly affected the ability of eligible candidates to select Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation.

Constitutional Perspective

Scheduled Tribe status is determined through the constitutional framework under Article 342. Recognition is based on the notified communities and the applicable constitutional and legal framework.

The issue highlights the importance of ensuring that recruitment systems accurately implement constitutionally recognised reservation provisions.

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 – Social Justice | Reservation | Scheduled Tribes | Constitutional Provisions

GS-3 | ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

Two Cheetahs Released at Madhya Pradesh’s Third Project Cheetah Site

Two cheetahs, Vyom and Neera, have been introduced into Madhya Pradesh's Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

The development expands the geographical footprint of Project Cheetah beyond its existing conservation sites.

Conservation Significance

The creation of additional habitat sites can:

  • Reduce concentration-related risks within a single landscape.

  • Provide additional habitat for the growing cheetah population.

  • Expand the available prey base.

  • Reduce territorial pressure in areas with high population density.

The new site becomes the third habitat node under Project Cheetah after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 – Biodiversity | Wildlife Conservation | Project Cheetah

GS-2 | POLITY & FEDERALISM

Karnataka Seeks Review of Cauvery Water Allocation

Karnataka has indicated its intention to seek a review of the existing Cauvery water allocation, citing changed circumstances and referring to broader principles associated with interstate river-water disputes.

Stakeholders

The Cauvery dispute involves:

  • Karnataka

  • Tamil Nadu

  • Kerala

  • Union Territory of Puducherry

Constitutional & Legal Framework

Article 262 of the Constitution deals with the adjudication of disputes relating to the waters of interstate rivers and river valleys.

The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 provides the statutory framework for addressing such disputes.

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 – Federalism | Inter-State Water Disputes | Article 262

GS-3 | ECONOMY & TAXATION

GST Council: Moving Beyond Rate Rationalisation

Discussions within the GST Council are increasingly focusing on structural and procedural reforms in addition to changes in tax rates and slabs.

Key Reform Areas

The major areas of focus include:

  • Simplifying the GST structure.

  • Improving automated compliance mechanisms.

  • Making Input Tax Credit (ITC) matching more efficient.

  • Strengthening technology-driven tax administration.

  • Developing more efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms.

  • Using data analytics to detect and prevent tax evasion.

Constitutional Basis

The GST Council is a constitutional body established under Article 279A. It serves as an important platform for cooperative fiscal decision-making between the Union and the States.

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 – GST | Fiscal Federalism | Taxation | Cooperative Federalism

GS-2 | HEALTH & GOVERNANCE

India Faces Challenges in Curbing Leprosy Transmission

India continues to face challenges in controlling the transmission of leprosy, with persistent cases, childhood infections and instances of Grade-2 disability remaining areas of concern.

Why Are Childhood Cases Significant?

The occurrence of leprosy among children can indicate ongoing transmission within communities. It therefore highlights the need for early detection and stronger disease-control interventions.

Key Interventions

Effective control requires:

  • Active case detection.

  • Contact tracing.

  • Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

  • Early diagnosis.

  • Timely Multidrug Therapy (MDT).

  • Measures to prevent long-term disability.

Causative Organism: Mycobacterium leprae

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 – Health | Public Health | Disease Control

GS-3 | ENVIRONMENT & INDUSTRY

Cement Industry and India’s Net-Zero Transition

The cement industry is a critical component of India's infrastructure and construction sector. However, it is also considered a hard-to-abate industry because of its significant carbon emissions.

Major Sources of Emissions

A substantial share of emissions arises from:

Limestone Calcination:
The chemical conversion of limestone during cement production generates process-related carbon dioxide emissions.

Energy Consumption:
Cement manufacturing also requires substantial thermal and electrical energy, contributing further to its carbon footprint.

Pathways Towards Decarbonisation

India can reduce emissions from the sector through:

  • Greater use of low-carbon and blended cements.

  • Adoption of LC3 (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement).

  • Alternative fuels and raw materials.

  • Co-processing of suitable industrial waste.

  • Improved energy efficiency.

  • Greater adoption of renewable energy.

  • Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies.

Decarbonising the cement sector will be important for aligning industrial growth with India's long-term net-zero objectives.

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 – Environment | Climate Change | Industry | Net Zero

MAINS ANSWER WRITING CHALLENGE

Daily UPSC Mains Practice Question

“India’s economic resilience is increasingly challenged by external trade pressures, climate variability and the carbon intensity of key industries.” Discuss the measures India should adopt to strengthen export competitiveness and achieve its net-zero targets.

Word Limit: 150 words
Marks: 10
Relevant Paper: GS Paper 3 – Economy & Environment

Answer-Writing Focus

While attempting this question, candidates should establish linkages between:

External Trade Pressures → Export Competitiveness → Economic Resilience

and

Climate Variability + Industrial Emissions → Sustainable Growth → Net-Zero Transition

A balanced answer should include both short-term policy measures and long-term structural reforms.