Daily Briefing Current Affairs

GS-3SEMICONDUCTORS AND CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The ₹800 Brain Inside 20 Crore Meters: Why India Wants to Design Its Own Smart Meter Chips

The Union Power Secretary announced on September 24, 2026 that the government intends to require domestically designed chips in smart electricity meters by mid-2028. The aim is to address cybersecurity risks in the power distribution network as crores of smart meters are rolled out under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.

Sub TopicDOMESTIC CHIP MANDATE FOR SMART METERS, HARDWARE…SourceINDIAN EXPRESS, KIMBAL…
UPSC Relevance8/10
Time to Read3 min read
Total Views46,598
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GS-3BLUE ECONOMY AND SUSTAINABLE FINANCE

A ₹1,000 Crore Test for an Ocean-Sized Promise: What India's First Blue Bond Must Prove

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd. is preparing India's maiden blue bond issue of up to ₹1,000 crore. It is the first attempt to bring the country's ocean economy to the capital markets through a dedicated thematic instrument, at a time of hardening global interest rates. Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd. is preparing to issue India's maiden ₹1,000 crore blue bond to fund maritime infrastructure and sustainable ocean…

Sub TopicINDIA'S MAIDEN BLUE BOND BY SAGARMALA FINANCE…SourceTHE HINDU, GOLDENPI, FINANCIAL…
UPSC Relevance8/10
Time to Read3 min read
Total Views31,659
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GS-3DIGITAL PAYMENTS

Four Per Cent of Payments, Two-Thirds of the Value: Who Actually Pays UPI's New Merchant Fee

On September 24, 2026, government sources and the NPCI chief responded to concerns that the new UPI merchant fee, starting October 15, would push shopkeepers and customers back to cash. They set out who is exempt and outlined plans to stop merchants from passing the fee on to consumers. The government and NPCI assured that the new 0.4% MDR on high-value UPI transactions will not burden consumers, as banks implement…

Sub TopicTHE 0.4% UPI MERCHANT FEE, VALUE-BASED TARGETING AND THE…SourceTHE HINDU, INDIAN EXPRESS, MINT…
UPSC Relevance9/10
Time to Read3 min read
Total Views31,593
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GS-3FUEL PRICING AND ENERGY SECURITY

₹530 Crore a Day, Off the Budget: How Frozen Fuel Prices Turn Oil Companies Into Silent Subsidy Vehicles

A September 24, 2026 analysis based on ICRA estimates shows the public sector oil marketing companies losing over ₹500 crore a day on retail fuel sales. The losses stem from a sharp rise in crude prices amid the West Asia conflict, with no corresponding increase in retail petrol, diesel and LPG prices.

Sub TopicINFORMAL PRICE CONTROL, OMC UNDER-RECOVERIES AND THE…SourceINDIAN EXPRESS, ECONOMIC TIMES…
UPSC Relevance9/10
Time to Read3 min read
Total Views42,386
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GS-3INDUSTRIAL POLICY

Bigger Numbers, Same Share: Why Make in India's Real Constraint Is Demand, Not Incentives

The Make in India initiative completed 12 years on September 25, 2026. A data-led review of growth, investment, employment and export metrics shows patchy performance, with gains under recent incentive schemes confined to a handful of sectors. An analysis of 12 economic metrics on the 12th anniversary of "Make in India" reveals that the manufacturing sector's share in growth, employment and global exports has remained…

Sub TopicMAKE IN INDIA AT 12: STAGNANT SHARES, IDLE CAPACITY AND…SourceTHE HINDU, PIB, ARIVARK, INVEST…
UPSC Relevance9/10
Time to Read3 min read
Total Views38,309
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