NITI Aayog
The government think-tank that replaced the Planning Commission in 2015 as the apex public-policy body.
Verified references:Wikipedia
On UPSC.wiki
Current affairsCabinet Approves CAPEX Support Scheme for Critical Mineral Processing: ₹2,814 Crore Push for Lithium and Nickel Self-RelianceThe Union Cabinet on 4 November 2026 approved the CAPEX Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing with an outlay of ₹2,814 crore over five years (FY 2026-27 to 2030-31), targeting domestic processing of lithium and nickel to reduce import dependence and strengthen India's clean-energy supply chain. Current affairsEU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Enters Definitive Phase from January 2026: Implications for IndiaThe EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026, requiring EU importers to purchase carbon certificates for embedded emissions in steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen. India — the third-largest exporter of CBAM-covered goods to the EU — faces direct impact on its steel and aluminium exports. India has challenged CBAM at the WTO and, alongside BRICS partners, labelled it a "unilateral, punitive" trade barrier. Current affairsBihar Water Sources Restoration and Silt Management Policy 2026: Nadi Sanjivani Initiative ExplainedOn 3 November 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and the Government of Bihar signed an MoU to implement the Bihar Water Sources Restoration and Silt Management Policy, 2026 — branded "Nadi Sanjivani" (River Life-Restorer). The policy removes flood-deposited silt from agricultural land and rivers, using the excavated material in National Highway construction, addressing river health, flood risk, and infrastructure simultaneously. Current affairsBRICS Carbon Markets Partnership: New Delhi Declaration 2026 and Global Climate GovernanceThe 18th BRICS Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (12–13 September 2026) under India's chairmanship adopted the New Delhi Declaration, committing to a BRICS Carbon Markets Partnership MoU for cooperation on domestic carbon markets, capacity building, and climate finance. The Declaration simultaneously opposed the EU's CBAM as a "unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist measure." The summit is significant for India's climate diplomacy, its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), and the global debate on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Current affairsSEBI Introduces Framework for REITs and InvITs to Issue Depository Receipts at GIFT City IFSCSEBI issued Circular No. HO/17/11/19(7)2026-DDHS-RAC/I/24930/2026 on 2 November 2026, introducing a framework that allows Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) to issue foreign currency-denominated Depository Receipts (DRs) listed on exchanges at GIFT City's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC). This enables Indian infrastructure and real estate assets to access global capital pools directly. Current affairsMoPR–CESL MoU: Panchayat Land to Host EV Charging Stations for Rural Clean MobilityThe Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 30 October 2026 to establish electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery-swapping stations on Panchayat land across India. The initiative aims to advance rural clean mobility while generating Own Source Revenue (OSR) for Gram, Block, and District Panchayats. Current affairsIndia's Hylo Open 2026 Double Triumph: PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen Win Singles Titles in SaarbrückenIndia achieved a rare double at the Hylo Open 2026 (BWF Super 300) in Saarbrücken, Germany (27 October–1 November 2026): PV Sindhu became the first Indian woman to win the women's singles title (defeating Denmark's Line Kjaersfeldt 21–12, 21–14), while Lakshya Sen became the first Indian to win two Hylo Open men's singles titles (defeating Indonesia's Jonatan Christie 21–17, 21–10). Current affairsMINURSO Ends After 35 Years: UN Security Council Fails to Renew Western Sahara Peacekeeping MissionThe UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), established in 1991, ceased operations on November 1, 2026, after the UN Security Council failed on October 30 to adopt either a US-sponsored renewal resolution (vetoed by Russia) or a Russian counter-draft (rejected by the US), ending 35 years of international peacekeeping and raising fundamental questions about the right of self-determination for the Sahrawi people. Current affairsProject 28A: Ministry of Defence Signs ₹53,866 Crore Contract for Eight Next Generation Corvettes with GRSE and GSLThe Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹53,866 crore on November 2, 2026, with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the construction of eight Next Generation Corvettes (NGC) under Project 28A, India's largest-ever warship procurement by domestic shipyards and a landmark in Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing. Current affairsHigh-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat: Government Constitutes Reform Panel Under Former CVC Suresh N. PatelThe Union Government constituted the "High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat" on October 30, 2026, chaired by former Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N. Patel, to recommend structural, regulatory, and legislative reforms to make Indian banks globally competitive, financially inclusive, and resilient by 2047. The committee has a six-month tenure and includes the RBI Deputy Governor and two former senior banking officials as members. Current affairsDraft National Steel Policy Vision 2047: India Targets 604 MT Capacity, Decarbonisation, and Specialty Steel LeadershipThe Ministry of Steel released the Draft National Steel Policy Vision 2047 in October 2026, targeting 604 MT of crude steel capacity, per capita consumption of 302 kg, and carbon emission intensity reduced from 2.54 to 1.54 tCO₂/tonne by 2047. The policy replaces the National Steel Policy 2017 and focuses on raw material security, decarbonisation, specialty steel for defence and aerospace, and trade protection against cheap imports. Current affairsManisha Bhanwala Wins Historic Gold at Senior World Wrestling Championships 2026: First Indian Woman World ChampionManisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships, defeating American Abigail Nette 8–6 in the 59 kg freestyle final at Astana, Kazakhstan on October 30, 2026. She is only the second Indian wrestler ever to win a senior world title — after Sushil Kumar (65 kg) in 2010 — ending India's 39-year wait for a women's gold at the championships. India also won three other medals (2 silvers, 1 bronze) in the women's freestyle category at the same championships.
In previous-year questions
- According to NITI Aayog's 2026 report on professional services, India has the highest restrictiveness score on the OECD Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI) for which professional services sector?UPSC · Current Affairs
- In the context of trade in services under the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), 'Mode 4' refers to which type of service delivery?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The NITI Aayog report on professional services (2026) recommended negotiating Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) for Indian professionals. Which statutory body regulates the accountancy profession in India and would be the primary party in MRA negotiations with bodies like ACCA (UK) and CPA Australia?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The NITI Aayog report (2026) on professional services notes that India's legal services market has a high OECD STRI score of 0.865. Which Act and regulatory body currently govern the legal profession in India, and what significant change was made in 2023?UPSC · Current Affairs
- India's services sector contributes approximately what percentage of India's GDP, making it the dominant sector of the economy — a context cited in NITI Aayog's 2026 professional services report?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The 16th Finance Commission, which recommended including heatwaves and lightning as SDRF-eligible natural calamities, covers which award period and is chaired by whom?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Financial Stability Report (FSR) in India is prepared by the Sub-Committee of which body, and how frequently is it published?UPSC · Current Affairs
- NITI Aayog launched PACT (Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport) at the 5th e-FAST India Summit in September 2026. Which of the following best describes the primary function of PACT?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The PACT (Platform for Aggregating Clean Transport) launched by NITI Aayog at the 5th e-FAST India Summit targets freight electrification because heavy commercial vehicles, despite being 3–4% of India's vehicle fleet, contribute what approximate share of total transport-sector carbon emissions?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Which of the following correctly gives the full form of e-FAST, the initiative under which NITI Aayog launched PACT and the ZET Marketplace in September 2026?SSC · Current Affairs
- The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026 — the 10th edition of this global event — was held at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat (September 15–18, 2026). Which of the following bodies co-organised WCEF 2026 as India's primary executing host?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2025, the second edition of India's state-level EV ranking, was jointly published by which two organisations?UPSC · Current Affairs