Daily filter — 4 October 2026
4 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🚓 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI seizes 15.59 kg drugs, arrests five in crackdown
The **Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)** seized 15.59 kg of drugs and arrested five people in three operations on September 29-30, 2026.
- On 30.09.2026, DRI seized 7.116 kg Amphetamine near Bicholi Mardana, Indore.
- On 29.09.2026, 4.9 kg Cocaine was seized from a passenger at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad.
- On 29.09.2026, 3.574 kg Heroin was recovered near Phillaur, Jalandhar.
- Five persons were arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985 across the three operations.
💡 Remember DRI for seizing Amphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin (approx. 7kg, 5kg, 3.5kg) in three ops across MP, Hyderabad, Punjab.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2318942
🧠 Science & Tech · UPSC track
India's Supercomputing Ecosystem: NSM Advances Indigenous HPC
The **National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)**, launched in 2015, has significantly advanced India's indigenous supercomputing capabilities.
- As of September 2026, NSM has deployed 40 supercomputers with a combined capacity of 68 PF.
- The NSM was launched in April 2015 with an outlay of about ₹4,500 crore.
- It is jointly steered by DST and MeitY, implemented by C-DAC, Pune, and IISc, Bengaluru.
- NSM aims to establish 50 supercomputers with a cumulative capacity exceeding 123 PF.
- India's first indigenous supercomputer, PARAM 8000, was unveiled in 1991 by C-DAC.
💡 For the exam: Remember NSM (2015, DST/MeitY, C-DAC/IISc) aims for 50 supercomputers/123 PF; currently 40/68 PF.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2318908
🦅 Environment · UPSC track
Great Indian Bustard Rewilding at Desert National Park
Two male critically endangered Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) were released into the wild in Rajasthan.
- Union Minister released two male GIBs at Desert National Park, Jaisalmer on October 4, 2026.
- This marks a transition from conservation-breeding to rewilding for GIBs.
- The Bustard Recovery Programme is a collaboration, including WII and Rajasthan Forest Department.
- Captive facilities house 97 GIBs, with 11 earmarked for release.
- The 'jumpstart' approach resulted in six chicks in Rajasthan and two in Gujarat.
💡 Remember: Two male GIBs rewilded in Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, part of a decade-long program with 97 birds in facilities.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2318842
🌱 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Cotton Reforms to be Showcased at Reform Utsav 2026
The **Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)** will showcase transformative reforms to make the cotton procurement ecosystem farmer-centric and transparent.
- A special showcase event will be held on 6th October 2026 in Hyderabad, Telangana.
- Reforms cover digital procurement, Kasturi Cotton Bharat, and High-Density Planting System (HDPS).
- The Kapas Kisan digital platform enables farmer registration and Aadhaar-enabled payments.
- The event is part of Reform Utsav 2026 by the Ministry of Textiles.
💡 For the exam: Remember CCI's Reform Utsav 2026 in Hyderabad highlights Kapas Kisan, Kasturi Cotton, and HDPS.
Source: Ministry of Textiles · PIB PRID 2318919