Article 47
On UPSC.wiki
Current affairsGlobal Hunger Index 2026: India Ranks 100th, Remains in 'Serious' CategoryThe Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026, released on October 14, 2026, by Welthungerhilfe, the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), and Helvetas, ranked India 100th among 122 countries with a GHI score of 24.1 — still in the 'serious' category despite significant improvement from a score of 37 in 2006. The 2026 report's theme is "No Security Without Food Security." Current affairsNSAP Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana: Cabinet Approves ₹53,428 Crore Social Assistance Extension for 2026–31The Union Cabinet on 14 October 2026 approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) under the new name Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana (PMSSY) with a ₹53,428 crore outlay for five years (FY2026–27 to FY2030–31). All four Indira Gandhi-branded sub-schemes were renamed with Pradhan Mantri prefix, and the disability pension eligibility threshold was reduced from 80% to 40%, extending coverage to approximately 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all states and UTs. Current affairsCERVAVAC Receives WHO Prequalification: India's Indigenous Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine Cleared for Global DistributionCERVAVAC, India's first indigenously developed quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification effective September 25, 2026. The milestone makes CERVAVAC eligible for procurement by UN agencies for global distribution, represents the 32nd WHO prequalification for a biological product from SII, and reinforces India's Atmanirbhar Bharat objective in vaccine development while advancing global cervical cancer prevention efforts. Current affairsMorocco Appoints Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as First Woman Prime MinisterKing Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as the country's first female Prime Minister on September 29, 2026, following the Authenticity and Modernity Party's (PAM) plurality victory in the September 23 parliamentary elections. She becomes only the third woman to serve as Prime Minister in the Arab world. Current affairsCabinet Approves Rabi MSP 2027-28: Safflower Gets Highest Hike of ₹675/quintal, Wheat at ₹2,610The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all six mandated Rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season on September 30, 2026. Safflower received the highest absolute increase of ₹675/quintal, followed by mustard/rapeseed at ₹413/quintal. Wheat MSP was set at ₹2,610/quintal, up by ₹25. All MSPs are fixed at a minimum of 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production, as announced in Union Budget 2018-19. Current affairsSouthwest Monsoon 2026 Ends with 12.6% Rainfall Deficit — Worst Since 2015, East and Northeast India Hardest HitIndia's 2026 southwest monsoon season (June–September) ended with a cumulative rainfall deficit of approximately 12.6% below the Long Period Average (LPA), recording 87% of normal rainfall at about 759 mm against the seasonal normal of 869 mm. It is the worst monsoon since 2015 and the fourth-lowest since 2001. East and Northeast India suffered the most severe deficit at 25.6% below normal, with the region recording its lowest monsoon rainfall since 1901. Current affairsAyushman Bharat PM-JAY at 8: 48.5 Crore Cards, ₹2.03 Lakh Crore Healthcare DisbursedAyushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) completed 8 years of operation in September 2026, having issued over 48.51 crore health cards, funded 13.25 crore hospital admissions worth ₹2.03 lakh crore, and expanded coverage to 60 crore people including senior citizens aged 70 and above through the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card. Current affairs11th National Ayurveda Day 2026: Theme 'Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow', Key Initiatives and India's AYUSH ExpansionIndia observed the 11th National Ayurveda Day on September 23, 2026 — permanently fixed on the autumnal equinox by a Gazette Notification of March 2025 — with the theme "Ayurveda for a Healthier Tomorrow." The Ministry of Ayush launched the Ayush Vision 2030 strategic document and conferred the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards 2026 at the main national celebration in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Current affairsFSSAI Proposes Mandatory Red Hexagonal Front-of-Pack Warning Labels for High-Fat, High-Sugar, High-Salt Packaged Foods — Supreme Court Directs Expedited ImplementationFSSAI submitted a proposal on August 30, 2026 to the Supreme Court for mandatory red hexagonal front-of-pack (FOP) warning labels on packaged foods high in fat, sugar, salt, or classified as "highly sweetened beverages." The SC bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K. Vinod Chandran had directed this on August 13, 2026. Thresholds will be based on ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines 2024. This remains a proposal — not yet gazetted or enforceable. Current affairsNasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) 6th Anniversary 2026: National Pledge Against Drug Abuse and Expanding De-Addiction CoverageAugust 18, 2026 marks the 6th anniversary of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), launched on August 15, 2020 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. A nationwide National Mass Pledge Against Drug Abuse was organised, with over 29.26 crore individuals reached since inception including 11.17 crore youth — underlining India's whole-of-government effort to combat drug demand reduction.
In previous-year questions
- Which Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) in the Constitution of India directs the State to endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides the primary constitutional mandate for the State to bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health — the provision that underpins India's drug abuse control policy including the NMBA?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposed red hexagonal front-of-pack warning labels in August 2026. Which Article of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) most directly mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition and improve public health — forming the constitutional foundation for food safety regulation?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides the primary constitutional basis for the Government's promotion of traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda by mandating the State to improve public health and raise nutritional levels?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Directive Principle of State Policy under which Article of the Indian Constitution most directly mandates the State to raise the level of nutrition and improve public health — the constitutional basis for schemes like PM-JAY?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Which Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution specifically directs the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and take steps to preserve and improve breeds?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Under Morocco's 2011 Constitution, which provision requires the King to appoint the Head of Government from the party winning the most seats in the House of Representatives?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Which of the following Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India most directly supports the State's obligation to implement HPV vaccination programmes for cervical cancer prevention?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Supreme Court of India in People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2001) read the right to food as part of which Fundamental Right, establishing the constitutional basis for food entitlement programmes like the National Food Security Act, 2013?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Which Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution specifically directs the state to promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes?UPSC · Current Affairs