Daily Current Affairs — 13 October 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 13 October 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
🎯 30 MCQs
🎬 3 Videos
🇮🇳 Hindi + English
Indian Geography MCQ Quiz · भारतीय भूगोल प्रश्नोत्तरी
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Polity
Delhi Protests: Balancing Right to Protest with Public Order
A wave of protests in New Delhi, including demonstrations against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), led to large-scale detentions of youth, journalists, and activists.
- Section 163 BNSS empowers authorities to restrict assemblies to maintain public order
- Preventive detention, while constitutionally permitted under Article 22, must be subject to strict safeguards to protect personal liberty under
- About: In Ram Manohar Lohia v. State of Bihar (1966)
- Public Order (Middle Circle): Affects the even tempo of life of the community at large in a specific locality (e.g., violent riots, communal clashes)
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- Security of the State (Smallest Circle): Threatens the very existence of the nation (e.g., rebellion, waging war).
- State List (List II): Entry 1 (Public Order) and Entry 2 (Police) are exclusively under the jurisdiction of State Governments.
- Exception for Delhi (NCT): Under Article 239AA (inserted by the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act
- Concurrent List (List III): Entry 1 (Criminal Law) and Entry 2 (Criminal Procedure under which the BNSS
- Preventive Detention Jurisdiction: Divided between the Centre and States
- About: Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023 replaces the erstwhile Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973
5. What is the significance of the Doctrine of Proportionality? It requires restrictions on Fundamental Rights to have a legitimate aim
Which of the following statements about Delhi Protests: Balancing Right to Protest with Public Order is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Polity
Right to Protest and Excessive Policing
Violent clashes between protesters and police during the youth-led 'Chalo Sansad' march in New Delhi in July 2026 have reignited debate over the.
- The 'Chalo Sansad' protests (July 2026) reignited debate over balancing the constitutional right to protest
- Right to Protest: The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to protest, though the word "protest" is not explicitly mentioned
- Article 19(1)(b): Grants the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
- Article 19(1)(c): Ensures the right to form associations or unions.
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- Article 21: Protects the right to life and liberty, which encompasses the right to live with dignity and voice grievances against the State.
- These rights are essential in a democracy to hold the executive accountable, ventilate public grievances, and foster informed public discourse.
- Under Article 19(2): Restrictions on freedom of speech can be imposed in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India
- Under Article 19(3): Restrictions on the freedom of assembly can be imposed in the interests of the sovereignty
- Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)
- Local Police statutes like the Delhi Police Act, 1978 authorise law enforcement to regulate assembly routes, timings, and conditions.
2. What is the significance of the Prakash Singh (2006) judgment? The Supreme Court directed the establishment ofState Security Commissions
Which of the following statements about Right to Protest and Excessive Policing is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Polity
Preventive Detention
Recently, the Supreme Court has held that advisory boards under preventive detention laws should not behave like mere "rubber-stamping authorities" for the government,.
- They should act as safety valves that stand between the capricious use of power by the state and the right to personal liberty.
- Background: Laws authorising preventive detention existed in British colonial rule in India since 1818.
- The Defence of India Act of 1915 was passed on the outbreak of the First World War
- Preventive detention means the detention of a person without trial and conviction by a court
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- Grounds for Preventive Detention: State security
- Preventive detention is when a person is held in police custody only on the basis of a suspicion
- Article 22 grants protection to persons who are arrested or detained
- The article makes it mandatory for preventive detention laws to form advisory boards consisting of persons qualified to be High Court judges.
- Under different laws, review boards must assess detention orders every three months to determine if there's enough reason for preventive detention
- A person may be taken to preventive custody only for 3 months
Which of the following statements about Preventive Detention is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
History
First Information Report (FIR)
An First Information Report (FIR) is a very important document as it sets the process of criminal justice in motion.
- First Information Report (FIR) is a written document prepared by the police when they receive information about the commission of a cognizable
- It is a report of information that reaches the police first in point of time and that is why it is called the First Information Report.
- It is generally a complaint lodged with the police by the victim of a cognizable offence or by someone on his/her behalf
- The term FIR is not defined in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, or in any other law
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- The information must relate to the commission of a cognizable offence,
- It should be given in writing or orally to the head of the police station,
- It must be written down and signed by the informant, and its key points should be recorded in a daily diary.
- The police will investigate the case and will collect evidence in the form of statements of witnesses or other scientific materials
- Under Section 154(3) CrPC, if any person is aggrieved by the refusal on the part of the officer in charge of a police station to register an FIR, she
- When a police station receives a complaint regarding an alleged offence that has been committed in the jurisdiction of another police station
Which of the following statements about First Information Report (FIR) is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Polity
Right to Protest
The Supreme Court said farmers had the right to protest, but roads cannot be blocked indefinitely (impeding the right of citizens to commute without hindrance).
- Right to Protest: Although the Right to Protest is not an explicit right under the Fundamental rights
- Article 19(1)(b): The Right to association is required to form associations for political purposes
- It provides feedback to the governments about their policies and actions after which the concerned government
- Article 19(2) imposes reasonable restrictions on the right to freedom of speech and expression
Show 3 more facts
- Enumerated in Article 51A, the Constitution makes it a fundamental duty of every citizen "to safeguard public property and to abjure violence".
- The Supreme Court hearing the plea regarding Shaheen Bagh Protests in 2019
- SC referred to its 2018 judgment in the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan vs Union of India and Another case
Which of the following statements about Right to Protest is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
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Economy
UNODC Report on Illicit Drugs
Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released its World Drug Report 2024, drawing global attention to escalating concerns in the international drug landscape.
- Rising Drug Use: In 2022, the number of drug users worldwide reached 292 million, representing a 20% increase over the past decade.
- Cannabis remains the most popular drug, with 228 million users, followed by Opioids, Amphetamines, Cocaine, and Ecstasy.
- These substances are linked to an increase in overdose deaths, particularly in high-income countries.
- Out of 64 million people suffering from drug use disorders, only one in 11 receive treatment.
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- The report reveals a significant gender gap in treatment access
- The number of people becoming addicted to drugs has risen sharply
- According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra
- The Golden Crescent: It comprises Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, a major global hub for opium production and distribution
- Poverty, Unemployment, and Escapism: Individuals in lower-income groups use cheap, readily available drugs to temporarily escape harsh realities like
- A 2023 cybercrime unit investigation uncovered a network using Instagram to advertise pharma parties in Goa
With reference to UNODC Report on Illicit Drugs, consider the following statements:
- Rising Drug Use: In 2022, the number of drug users worldwide reached 292 million, representing a 20% increase over the past decade
- Cannabis remains the most popular drug, with 114 million users, followed by Opioids, Amphetamines, Cocaine, and Ecstasy
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Amnesty International – reporting
According to Amnesty International, the protests over rising fuel prices and a subsequent government crackdown have cost many people their lives across Iran.
- The U.S.economic sanctions on Iran and the rise in gasoline prices in the country have resulted in a collapse of Iranian currency (Rial).
- Amnesty International is a London based Non-Governmental Organisation founded in 1961.
- The organization aims to create a world where every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Which of the following statements about Amnesty International – Drishti IAS is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
IR
US PERM Suspension & ‘Indentured Servants’ Row
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sharply rebuked US characterization of foreign tech workers as "indentured servants," following the US.
- PERM Programme: Managed by the US DoL, PERM is the official electronic system
- The MEA rejected comparing this colonial bondage to Indian STEM professionals, who are the highest-earning ethnic demographic in the US.
- Curbs on Indian Skilled Workers: US protectionist policies are restricting the cross-border movement of Indian professionals (known as Mode 4 under
- High Visa Costs: The US recently imposed a steep USD 100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B visa applications
With reference to US PERM Suspension & ‘Indentured Servants’ Row, consider the following statements:
- PERM Programme: Managed by the US DoL, PERM is the official electronic system
- The MEA rejected comparing this colonial bondage to Indian STEM professionals, who are the lowest-earning ethnic demographic in the US
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Environment
India – Trinidad and Tobago Relations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Trinidad and Tobago, marked the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit since 1999.
- During the visit, he was conferred with the country's highest civilian honour, The Order of the Republic of Trinidad
- Geography & Location: Trinidad and Tobago is located in the southeastern West Indies (Caribbean) and comprises two main islands Trinidad and Tobago
- Indian Grant Assistance for Quick Impact Projects (QIPs): India will fund up to five projects annually (each USD 50,000)
- This agreement will improve access to affordable
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- This initiative is expected to enhance diplomatic skills and bilateral relations.
- India announced that the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card facility would be extended to the 6th generation of Indian diaspora members in
- Trinidad and Tobago is the first Caribbean nation to adopt the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
- India has also extended help to train the Hindu religious priests (Pandits) of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region.
- This will promote cultural exchange and deepen understanding of Indian languages and culture.
- Bilateral relations, formally established in 1962, have remained warm and dynamic.
Which of the following statements about India – Trinidad and Tobago Relations is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
IR
Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026
The 11th Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in New Delhi, India.
- The Quad has emerged as a key Indo-Pacific strategic grouping
- Maritime and Transnational Security: Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC): Launched a brand-new initiative leveraging member
- Interoperability and Training: Announced that India will host the next Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission to combat illicit maritime activities
- Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework: Established a strategic framework to streamline economic policies
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- Indo-Pacific Energy Security Initiative: Rolled out a joint energy roadmap deploying over USD 25 million to support tech integration
- Pacific Island Infrastructure Outreach: QUAD partnered with the Government of Fiji to upgrade key port infrastructure
- AI-ENGAGE Initiative: Awarded over USD 6 million to international research projects leveraging Artificial Intelligence
- Disaster Response Readiness: Solidified joint life-saving capabilities following lessons internalized from the 2025 Honolulu tabletop exercise (TTX)
- Health and Disaster Response: Pledged over $50 million to train health professionals for public health emergencies
- About: The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is an informal strategic forum comprising India, the US, Australia, and Japan.
Which of the following statements about Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026 is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Indian Economy MCQ Quiz · भारतीय अर्थव्यवस्था प्रश्नोत्तरी
A second members-only subject quiz – lock in today's study session
Current affairs alone will not clear Prelims. Close the day on the static syllabus with this members-only quiz.
