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Sep 25, 2026RBI holds repo rate steady at 6.5% amid inflation concerns
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the sixth consecutive meeting, citing persistent food inflation despite easing core inflation.
Key takeaways:
- CPI inflation projected at 4.5% for the fiscal year, within the RBI's 2-6% tolerance band.
- GDP growth forecast retained at 7.0%.
- The stance remains withdrawal of accommodation, signalling caution before any rate cut.
Why it matters for Prelims: MPC composition (3 RBI + 3 government-appointed members), inflation targeting framework, and repo vs reverse repo distinctions are recurring UPSC questions.
EconomyPolityMonetary Policy
Sep 25, 2026ISRO successfully tests reusable launch vehicle landing experiment
ISRO conducted the third and final Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment (LEX-03) at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka, demonstrating autonomous landing capability from an off-nominal release point.
Key takeaways:
- RLV programme aims to cut launch costs via reusable first-stage boosters, similar in spirit to SpaceX Falcon 9.
- The vehicle, nicknamed Pushpak, released from a helicopter at 4.5 km altitude and landed autonomously on a runway.
- Part of ISRO roadmap toward an Indian reusable orbital vehicle by 2030.
Why it matters for Prelims: ISRO missions, indigenous space technology, and comparisons with global reusable rocket programmes are frequently tested under Science & Tech.
Science & Tech
Sep 24, 2026Cabinet approves National Critical Mineral Mission
The Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an outlay aimed at securing supply chains for minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, critical for EVs, electronics, and renewable energy.
Key takeaways:
- Focus on domestic exploration, overseas asset acquisition, and recycling of critical minerals.
- India currently imports most of its lithium and cobalt requirements.
- Ministry of Mines to be the nodal agency, working with PSUs like KABIL.
Why it matters for Prelims: Critical mineral lists, KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd), and India EV/renewable energy supply chain dependencies are exam-relevant.
EconomyEnvironmentCritical Minerals
Sep 24, 2026Supreme Court verdict on electoral bonds scheme
The Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, 2018, as unconstitutional, holding that it violated the right to information under Article 19(1)(a) by enabling anonymous political funding.
Key takeaways:
- The Court directed the State Bank of India to disclose details of bonds purchased and encashed since 2019.
- The scheme had exempted electoral bonds from disclosure requirements under the Representation of the People Act.
- Petitioners argued it enabled quid pro quo arrangements between donors and parties.
Why it matters for Prelims: Article 19(1)(a), Representation of the People Act provisions, and the Election Commission role in political funding transparency are core Polity topics.
PolityGovernance & IR