Current Affairs 3rd October
Current Affairs 3rd October
CURRENT AFFAIRS — 3 OCTOBER 2026
1. Gujarat Moves Ahead with Uniform Civil Code
Why in News?
Gujarat has taken a significant legislative step towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after the State's UCC legislation received Presidential assent. The legislation seeks to establish common legal provisions in areas of personal law within the State.
Key Points
• The legislation covers matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships.
• It provides a common legal framework for matters traditionally governed by different personal laws.
• Provisions relating to registration of marriages and live-in relationships have also been incorporated.
• The legislation is linked to the constitutional objective mentioned under Article 44.
• The Act will become operational after the State Government completes the required implementation process.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II – Indian Polity & Governance
Important Constitutional Provision: Article 44 – Directive Principle relating to the Uniform Civil Code.
Prelims Pointer
Article 44 is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and is not directly enforceable by courts.
Source: [Official Presidential Secretariat – State Bills / The Indian Express]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – Gujarat UCC]
2. Kautilya Economic Conclave 2026
Why in News?
The 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC) 2026 is being held in New Delhi from 3 to 5 October 2026 under the theme “Resilience in an Age of Flux.”
Key Points
• The conclave brings together policymakers, economists, academics and financial experts.
• Discussions focus on the changing global economic environment and its implications for India.
• Major areas include economic resilience, investment, financial stability, technology, trade and inclusive growth.
• The event is organised by the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper III – Indian Economy
Key Concept
Economic resilience refers to an economy's capacity to withstand shocks, adapt to changing circumstances and sustain growth.
Source: [Press Information Bureau – Ministry of Finance]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – Kautilya Economic Conclave]
3. PM-SETU: Strengthening Industrial Training
Why in News?
The Government has highlighted the progress of PM-SETU, an initiative aimed at upgrading Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and making vocational education more responsive to changing industry requirements.
Key Points
• The programme focuses on improving infrastructure and training capacity at Government ITIs.
• It promotes industry-oriented vocational education.
• The initiative uses a cluster-based approach for strengthening ITI infrastructure.
• Training is being aligned with emerging technologies and evolving employment opportunities.
• Greater participation of industry is intended to improve the employability of trained youth.
Significance
India's large working-age population provides an opportunity to convert the demographic dividend into productive human capital through appropriate skill development.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II – Education & Skill Development
GS Paper III – Employment & Human Capital
Source: [Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship / PIB]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – PM-SETU]
4. ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026
Why in News?
Indian Naval Ships INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish concluded their participation in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME) 2026 in the Philippines. The exercise was conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea.”
Key Points
• The exercise strengthens maritime cooperation between India and ASEAN partners.
• It included operational coordination and maritime training.
• Activities included Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Visit-Board-Search-Seizure (VBSS), underway replenishment and helicopter operations.
• The exercise supports India's engagement with Southeast Asia under the Act East Policy.
• It also complements India's maritime vision of MAHASAGAR – Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II – International Relations
Key Term
Act East Policy: India's framework for deepening economic, strategic and cultural engagement with Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific.
Source: [Press Information Bureau – Ministry of Defence]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026]
5. Samudra Manthan Mission
Why in News?
India's Samudra Manthan – National Offshore Exploration Scheme aims to accelerate exploration of deep and ultra-deepwater hydrocarbon resources. The scheme has a Phase-I outlay of ₹84,084 crore up to FY 2030–31.
Key Points
• The scheme seeks to expand India's offshore oil and gas exploration.
• It includes large-scale seismic surveys and deepwater drilling.
• The programme aims to encourage investment in frontier offshore areas through risk-sharing mechanisms.
• It seeks to add more domestic hydrocarbon reserves and increase domestic production.
• Strengthening domestic production can contribute to India's broader energy-security objectives.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper III – Energy Security & Infrastructure
Prelims Pointer
Samudra Manthan = National Offshore Exploration Scheme
Source: [Press Information Bureau – Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – Samudra Manthan]
6. Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls
Why in News?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has brought attention to the process of updating voter lists and ensuring that electoral rolls accurately reflect eligible voters.
Key Points
• Electoral-roll revision helps identify eligible voters and remove duplicate or ineligible entries.
• Accurate electoral rolls are essential for the conduct of credible elections.
• Verification and correction mechanisms are important to ensure that eligible citizens are not inadvertently excluded.
• The Election Commission of India derives its constitutional mandate from Article 324.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II – Indian Polity & Electoral Reforms
Prelims Pointer
Article 324 provides for the superintendence, direction and control of elections by the Election Commission.
Source: [Election Commission of India]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – Special Intensive Revision]
7. Conservation of the Great Indian Bustard
Why in News?
Conservation efforts for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) continue through habitat protection, captive breeding and species-recovery measures.
Key Points
• The Great Indian Bustard is one of India's most threatened bird species.
• It is closely associated with grassland and arid/semi-arid ecosystems.
• Habitat loss and fragmentation pose major threats.
• Collisions with overhead power infrastructure are another significant conservation challenge.
• Captive breeding and habitat management are being used as part of the species-recovery strategy.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper III – Environment & Biodiversity
Prelims Pointer
The Great Indian Bustard is an important flagship species for the conservation of India's grassland ecosystems.
Source: [Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change / Wildlife Institute of India]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – Great Indian Bustard Conservation]
8. Tiger Conservation at Buxa Tiger Reserve
Why in News?
Conservation efforts are being undertaken to strengthen tiger populations in Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, including measures related to tiger recovery and reintroduction.
Key Points
• Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in the Dooars region of West Bengal.
• It forms part of an important forest landscape in the eastern Himalayan foothills.
• Tiger recovery requires adequate prey availability, suitable habitat and effective protection.
• Management of human-wildlife conflict is also important for successful conservation.
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper III – Environment & Biodiversity
Prelims Pointer
Buxa Tiger Reserve → West Bengal → Dooars
Source: [National Tiger Conservation Authority / Government of West Bengal]
Source Placeholder: [INSERT SOURCE URL – Buxa Tiger Reserve]
QUICK REVISION
| Topic | UPSC Area |
|---|---|
| Gujarat UCC | Article 44 – Polity |
| Kautilya Economic Conclave | Economic Resilience – Economy |
| PM-SETU | ITI Modernisation – Skill Development |
| ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise | Act East Policy – IR |
| Samudra Manthan | Offshore Hydrocarbon Exploration – Energy |
| SIR | Electoral Rolls – Polity |
| Great Indian Bustard | Grassland Conservation – Environment |
| Buxa Tiger Reserve | Tiger Conservation – Environment |
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION
Q. Uniform Civil Code involves constitutional principles, personal laws, equality and India's social diversity. Discuss the major constitutional and governance dimensions associated with the UCC.
GS Paper II – Indian Polity & Governance
Keywords: Article 44 | DPSP | Personal Laws | Equality | Gender Justice | Fundamental Rights | Federalism | Cultural Diversity | Constitutional Morality
Source Placeholder: [INSERT OFFICIAL SOURCE / REFERENCE URL]