Daily filter — 15 October 2026
9 exam-worthy stories from the day's PIB releases · interactive view
🌿 Environment · UPSC track
India's Ramsar Site Tally Reaches 103 with New Additions
India's total number of Ramsar Sites has reached 103, with two new wetlands designated in Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh.
- India's Ramsar site tally is now 103.
- Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh is a new addition.
- Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh is also a new addition.
💡 Remember 103 total Ramsar sites with Sukhna (Chandigarh) and Sauj (UP) as latest additions.
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change · PIB PRID 2324120
🛰️ Defence & Security · UPSC track
MoD signs contracts for GSAT-7C and Varunastra
The Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth approximately Rs 4,106 crore for defence acquisitions.
- Contract for GSAT-7C worth Rs 2,563 crore signed with New Space India Limited.
- GSAT-7C will enhance secure communication for the Indian Air Force.
- Contract for Varunastra worth Rs 1,543 crore signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited.
- Varunastra is an indigenous anti-submarine torpedo for the Indian Navy.
💡 Remember GSAT-7C for IAF communication and Varunastra anti-submarine torpedo for Indian Navy.
Source: Ministry of Defence · PIB PRID 2323814
🌿 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI and CBN Destroy Illicit Cannabis Cultivation in Wildlife Sanctuary
DRI and CBN jointly destroyed 2.87 hectares of illicit cannabis cultivation in a Maharashtra wildlife sanctuary following intelligence inputs.
- DRI and CBN destroyed illicit cannabis cultivation.
- The operation took place in a wildlife sanctuary near Dhule, Maharashtra.
- 2.87 hectares (7.08 Acres) of cannabis was destroyed on 14.10.2026.
- The crop was destroyed using a rotavator after legal formalities.
💡 Remember: DRI and CBN collaborated to destroy 2.87 hectares of illicit cannabis in a Dhule, Maharashtra wildlife sanctuary.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2324037
👩💼 Schemes & Welfare · UPSC track
Key Schemes Boosting Women's Entrepreneurship and Employment
India is strengthening women's economic participation through targeted schemes providing formal recognition, financial support, and skill development.
- The Swavalambini Scheme (2025) supports young women from business ideation to enterprise creation.
- The Yashasvini Campaign (2024) aims for gender parity on the Udyam Registration Portal by 2029.
- Under PMMY, women entrepreneurs received two-thirds of all loans sanctioned by April 2026.
- Women-led MSEs receive 90% guarantee coverage under the Credit Guarantee Scheme.
- Women receive a 25% subsidy in urban and 35% in rural areas under PMEGP.
💡 Remember SWAYP for schemes: Swavalambini, Yashasvini, PMMY, PMEGP.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · PIB PRID 2323706
🌿 Defence & Security · LAW track
Customs seize 148.67 kg hydroponic weed at IGI Airport
Customs officers intercepted a large consignment from Bangkok, uncovering a significant smuggling attempt of narcotic substances.
- Customs officers seized 148.67 kg of hydroponic weed from Bangkok.
- The illicit substance was concealed inside PU Tube spools across 15 cartons.
- The seized narcotics are valued at approximately Rs. 52 crore.
- One person was arrested on 15.10.2026 under the NDPS Act, 1985.
💡 Remember: 148.67 kg hydroponic weed, Rs. 52 crore value, seized at IGI Airport under NDPS Act, 1985.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2324043
🚨 Defence & Security · LAW track
DRI uncovers gold smuggling via unaccompanied baggage, 3 arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized foreign-origin gold and busted a sophisticated smuggling network at Trivandrum.
- DRI seized 6.28 kg foreign-origin gold valued at Rs. 9.18 crore.
- Gold was concealed in hardware items within unaccompanied baggage from Dubai to Trivandrum.
- A warehouse staff, a Customs Broker, and a receiver were arrested.
- The arrests were made under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
💡 Remember: DRI intercepted 6.28 kg gold, Rs. 9.18 crore, Trivandrum, unaccompanied baggage, 3 arrests, Customs Act, 1962.
Source: Ministry of Finance · PIB PRID 2324042
♻️ Environment · LAW track
E-Waste Disposal Workshop under Special Campaign 6
The Legislative Department organized a workshop on e-waste disposal as part of Special Campaign 6 in New Delhi.
- The Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, organised the workshop.
- It was held on 15th October, 2026, at Kartavya Bhawan-II, New Delhi.
- Smt. Archna Srivastava of INDIA-AIDS NGO spoke on proper e-waste management.
- The workshop aimed to promote responsible disposal and environmental protection.
💡 Remember: Legislative Department held the e-waste workshop on 15th Oct 2026 for Special Campaign 6.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice · PIB PRID 2324151
📊 Economy · UPSC track
PLFS September 2026: Urban Female Labour Force Participation Rises
The **Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)** Monthly Bulletin for September 2026 indicates significant improvements in urban labour indicators.
- Overall LFPR (15+ years) was 55.5% in September 2026, up 0.2 percentage points year-on-year.
- Urban female LFPR reached 25.9% in September 2026, the highest since October 2025.
- Overall Unemployment Rate (UR) remained stable at 5.0% in September 2026, a 0.2 percentage point decline year-on-year.
- Rural female UR declined to 3.9% in September 2026, its lowest level recorded during 2026.
💡 Remember PLFS data for Sept 2026 highlights increased urban female LFPR and stable/declining UR.
Source: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation · PIB PRID 2323828
📊 Economy · UPSC track
Data Centre Evaluation Framework to Guide State Investments
**NITI Aayog** has unveiled a framework on **14 October 2026** to help states strategically plan for sustainable data centre growth.
- The Frontier Tech Hub of NITI Aayog released the Data Centre Evaluation Framework.
- It assists states in planning, evaluating, and facilitating data-centre investments.
- India's data-centre capacity grew from 375 MW in 2020 to approximately 1.5 GW.
- The framework has five pillars: Power & Energy, Water & Cooling, Siting & Environmental Sustainability, Economic & Strategic Value, and Policy, Governance & Implementation.
- Recommendations include promoting renewable energy, assessing water stress, and linking incentives to outcomes.
💡 Remember: NITI Aayog's Data Centre Evaluation Framework helps states ensure 'sustainable growth' and 'investment readiness' for data centres.
Source: NITI Aayog · PIB PRID 2323840