1. Gujarat’s Uniform Civil Code Gets Presidential Assent
- Current Affairs: The President assented to the Gujarat Uniform Civil Code Bill on 17 September 2026; the legislation was published in the Extraordinary Gazette on 1 October. Gujarat becomes the second state after Uttarakhand to enact a UCC.
- Fact 1: Article 44, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens.
- Fact 2: Marriage, divorce, adoption and succession fall under Entry 5 of the Concurrent List, allowing both Parliament and State Legislatures to legislate on these subjects.
2. Great Indian Bustard: Captive-Bred Birds Prepare for Release
- Current Affairs: Two captive-bred male Great Indian Bustards are scheduled for a pilot release into enclosures in Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, under Project GIB's rewilding programme.
- Fact 1: The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is the state bird of Rajasthan.
- Fact 2: Its major threats include habitat loss, predation and collisions with overhead power lines. It is protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
3. Ladakh Renames 28 Geographical Features
- Current Affairs: The Survey of India has standardised names for 28 geographical features in Ladakh, including mountains, passes, glaciers and water bodies, in consultation with the Union Territory administration.
- Fact 1: The Survey of India, established in 1767, is India's national mapping agency.
- Fact 2: Standardised geographical names help maintain consistency in official maps, geographical records and administrative documentation.
4. National Tribunals Commission: New Rules for Appointments
- Current Affairs: The proposed institutional framework for tribunal appointments and administration has renewed attention on the need for transparent selection processes and institutional independence.
- Fact 1: Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established to adjudicate specialised disputes, including matters relating to taxation, service conditions and company law.
- Fact 2: Articles 323A and 323B provide constitutional foundations for the establishment of administrative tribunals and tribunals for other specified matters, respectively.
5. G7 Plans Emergency Oil Release to Tackle Price Surge
- Current Affairs: G7 countries have agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil over four months, with the International Energy Agency coordinating the release to address rising fuel prices.
- Fact 1: The International Energy Agency was established in 1974 following the global oil crisis.
- Fact 2: IEA member countries maintain emergency oil stocks to reduce the impact of major supply disruptions.
6. Post-Facto Environmental Clearances Return to Appraisal
- Current Affairs: Following the Supreme Court's July 2026 ruling in Vanashakti v. Union of India, the Environment Ministry directed authorities to process certain pending post-facto environmental-clearance cases, while prohibiting fresh applications.
- Fact 1: The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, generally requires prior environmental clearance for specified projects before construction or operation.
- Fact 2: The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, provides the statutory basis for the Central Government's environmental regulatory powers.
7. Aviation Security Review After Failed Hijacking Attempt
- Current Affairs: The reported aviation-security breach has brought renewed focus on airport screening, threat assessment and coordination among aviation-security agencies.
- Fact 1: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is India's primary regulatory authority for civil-aviation security.
- Fact 2: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) establishes international standards and recommended practices for aviation security under Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention.