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India is strengthening border security against China with a major capacity enhancement plan for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The proposal includes raising 20 additional battalions, acquiring modern equipment, and boosting drone surveillance capabilities.
Force Seeking Expansion: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
Chinese scientists warn that the Brahmaputra River (Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet) could see increased water flow and heightened flood risk this century due to climate change, even as China constructs the world's largest hydroelectric dam costing $168 billion on the same river.
Dam Project Cost: $168 billion
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved capital acquisitions worth ₹2.12 lakh crore for the armed forces. The approval covers a wide range of equipment including helicopters, drones, and air defence systems, with a significant 82% of the procurement to be sourced from domestic industries to boost self-reliance.
Full form of DAC: Defence Acquisition Council
The Election Commission of India (ECI) filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court defending the legality and process of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ECI asserted that all SIR orders were passed unanimously by the three-member commission, countering allegations of internal dissent and unauthorized changes to voter registration procedures. This case highlights the critical institutional processes of the ECI and the legal framework governing electoral roll management.
Full form of SIR: Special Intensive Revision
2 sourcesThe Income Tax Department is using data from international Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) to encourage disclosures under the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers-Disclosure Scheme (FAST-DS). The scheme offers a window until December 31, 2026, for declaring undisclosed foreign assets, with tax and penalty rates of 30% each for assets up to ₹1 crore, and a flat ₹1 lakh fee for certain other cases. It provides immunity from the stringent Black Money Act.
Full form of FAST-DS: Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers-Disclosure Scheme
The Supreme Court of India faces a severe caseload crisis with over 96,000 pending cases, and Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) account for around 80% of fresh filings. While the sanctioned judge strength was increased from 34 to 38 in May 2026, the core issue remains the high admission rate of SLPs, originally designed as a discretionary last resort, which has transformed the apex court into a routine court of appeal.
Supreme Court Pending Cases: Over 96,000 cases
Ahead of the Union Budget 2027-28, the government is considering major reforms to boost stock market sentiment, including cutting the long-term capital gains tax rate from 12.5% for both domestic and foreign investors. A key proposal is to tax foreign portfolio investors on their dollar-denominated gains rather than rupee gains, addressing a major grievance amid a weak rupee environment.
Current LTCG Tax Rate: 12.5%
The Election Commission of India has clarified to the Supreme Court that Form 6 for new voter registration remains unchanged, and any power to modify it lies solely with the Central Government. To address concerns, the online process has been bifurcated from 21 October 2026, separating Form 6 from the contentious Special Intensive Revision (SIR) declaration. The EC also defended that all SIR-related decisions were taken unanimously by the full Commission.
Full form of SIR: Special Intensive Revision
India and the United States are in the final stages of negotiating a bilateral trade agreement, with most discussions completed. The agreement, under negotiation since early 2025, aims to resolve tariff-related issues and enhance trade between the two nations, including securing lower import duties for Indian goods in the US market compared to competitors like ASEAN members and Bangladesh.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
The Central Government has amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to facilitate the certification of vehicles capable of running on up to E100 (100% ethanol). This policy aims to reduce fossil fuel imports and promote domestic ethanol production, while also raising the weight threshold for light vehicles from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.
Rule Amended: Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
