UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 26 October 2026

Rugda Mushroom: Jharkhand’s Wild Monsoon Fungus Supports Tribal Livelihoods

October 26, 2026

Rugda Mushroom Latest News

Rugda mushroom which is an important non-timber forest produce providing seasonal income for many tribal households in forested villages of Jharkhand.

About Rugda Mushroom

It is a wild, edible subterranean fungus.
It is scientifically known as Astraeus hygrometricus or Astraeus asiaticus.
It is commonly foraged by tribal communities in eastern and central India.
It is highly prized across the Chhotanagpur Plateau, particularly in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal
It appears beneath the forest floor after the first monsoon showers and is hand-foraged for only a few weeks each year.
It survives in a natural partnership with the roots of sal trees, exchanging nutrients through an underground fungal network. Scientists call this an ectomycorrhizal relationship.
Ideal Condition for Growth
- It relies heavily on the monsoon for growth.
- Ideal conditions include high rainfall (around 350 cm), ample sunlight, and temperatures near 30°C.
- The fallen Sal leaves decompose over time to form a nutrient-rich humus layer.
- This layer is a dark, organic part of the soil that is high in moisture and essential nutrients, creating an environment that supports the healthy growth of these mushrooms.

Source: DTE

Rugda Mushroom FAQs

Q1: Where do we find Rugda Mushroom?

Ans: It is commonly foraged by tribal communities in eastern and central India.

Q2: What type of relationship does Rugda Mushroom shows with Sal?

Ans: It survives in a natural partnership with the roots of sal trees, exchanging nutrients through an underground fungal network. Scientists call this an ectomycorrhizal relationship.

Saidongar-1 Project Faces Opposition Over Tree Cutting in Maharashtra

October 26, 2026

Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project Latest News

Environmental activists and opposition parties recently came out against the “rampant” cutting of hundreds of trees for Torrent Power’s Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project in Raigad district of Maharashtra.

About Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project

The Saidongar 1 (Karjat) Off-Stream Open Loop Pumped Storage project (PSP) is a major hydro-energy initiative located in Karjat taluka, Raigad district of Maharashtra.
The project is adjacent to the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary of Pune district in the Sahyadri-Western Ghats ranges.
With a capacity of 3,000 MW, it will be India’s largest PSP.
The project will comprise two reservoirs.
- The upper reservoir will be constructed on the hilltop with a maximum dam height of 27 m to create the desired storage capacity, while the lower reservoir will have a maximum height of 59 m and shall be constructed across River Pej.
It comprises 10 reversible pump turbines, each of 300 MW.
It is being developed by Torrent Energy Storage Solutions Private Limited, a subsidiary of Gujarat-based Torrent Power Ltd.
Once operational, it will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4.55 million tons per year, roughly equivalent to taking around 1 million cars off the road annually.
With an annual energy production of 6,241 GWh, the project is expected to contribute to grid reliability and energy security in the state and other regions.

News: NIE

Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project FAQs

Q1: Where is the Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project located?

Ans: In Karjat taluka, Raigad district, Maharashtra.

Q2: Which wildlife sanctuary is located adjacent to the Saidongar-1 project?

Ans: Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Q3: What is the planned installed capacity of the Saidongar-1 project?

Ans: 3,000 MW.

Q4: What is the significance of the Saidongar-1 project in terms of capacity?

Ans: It is planned to be India's largest pumped storage project (PSP).

Q5: Which company is developing the Saidongar-1 Pumped Storage Project?

Ans: It is being developed by Torrent Energy Storage Solutions Private Limited, a subsidiary of Gujarat-based Torrent Power Ltd.

Oskar Klein Medal

October 26, 2026

Oskar Klein Medal Latest News

Professor Ashoke Sen has been awarded the Oskar Klein Medal for 2026, becoming the first Indian physicist to receive the honour.

About Oskar Klein Medal

It is a prestigious international award that recognises outstanding contributions to theoretical physics.
Established in 1988, the medal honours the legacy of Swedish theoretical physicist Oskar Klein.
The medal is awarded annually by Stockholm University and the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Past recipients of the medal have included some of the world’s top physicists, Alan Guth and Stephen Hawking, and Nobel laureates Peter Higgs, Kip Thorne, and Steven Weinberg, among others.
2026 Winner:
- Professor Ashoke Sen, a renowned Indian theoretical physicist, was awarded the Oskar Klein Medal 2026.
- He is the first Indian to receive the award.
- The award recognizes his pioneering contributions to string theory, which seeks to explain the fundamental nature of the universe, black hole entropy, and string field theory, which have significantly shaped modern theoretical physics.
- The 2026 Oskar Klein Memorial Lecture, titled “Gravity from Strings and Strings from Gravity,” was delivered by Prof. Sen at Stockholm University’s AlbaNova Centre on 22 October 2026.

What is String Theory?

String theory is a scientific framework that attempts to explain how the universe works at its most fundamental level.
According to this theory, the smallest building blocks of matter are not point-like particles but tiny, one-dimensional objects called strings.
These strings can vibrate in different ways, with each pattern of vibration corresponding to a different particle.
In this way, string theory offers a possible common framework for understanding the different particles and forces found in nature.
One of its major goals is to bring gravity into the framework of quantum physics, which describes the behaviour of matter and energy at extremely small scales.
Scientists have long struggled to reconcile the two, particularly in extreme environments such as black holes, where gravity and quantum effects become important.

Professor Sen's Contributions to Theoretical Physics

Sen's work has helped advance efforts to develop a consistent quantum theory of gravity and understand questions surrounding the quantum properties of black holes.
Sen has made several influential contributions to string theory, including research on S-duality, string field theory, and the precise counting of black-hole entropy.
S-duality explores relationships between different descriptions of a physical system, helping scientists understand connections that may not be obvious when examining a single theoretical framework.
His work on black-hole entropy has also helped researchers investigate how the properties of black holes can be understood using the principles of quantum physics.

Professor Sen’s Previous Recognitions

He received the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics in 2012 for his contributions to establishing a unifying framework for string theory and the Dirac Medal in 2014.
His other honours include the Infosys Prize in Mathematical Sciences (2009), the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1994), the ICTP Prize (1989), the Padma Shri (2001), and the Padma Bhushan (2013).
He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1998.

News:TH

Oskar Klein Medal FAQs

Q1: What is the Oskar Klein Medal?

Ans: It is a prestigious international award recognising outstanding contributions to theoretical physics.

Q2: The Oskar Klein Medal honours the legacy of which physicist?

Ans: Swedish theoretical physicist Oskar Klein.

Q3: In which year was the Oskar Klein Medal established?

Ans: It was established in 1988.

Q4: Which institutions award the Oskar Klein Medal annually?

Ans: Stockholm University and the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Q5: Who received the Oskar Klein Medal in 2026?

Ans: Indian theoretical physicist Professor Ashoke Sen.

Osbeckia assamensis: New Pink-Flowering Plant Found in Assam’s Manas Park

October 26, 2026

Osbeckia assamensis Latest News

Researchers recently identified a new flowering plant species named Osbeckia assamensis in Assam’s Manas National Park.

About Osbeckia assamensis

It is a new species of flowering plant.
It was discovered in grasslands within Manas National Park of Assam. The area forms part of the foothills of the Himalayas.
It belongs to the Melastomataceae family, one of the ten largest families of flowering plants.
It is a perennial shrub that grows between 2 and 2.5 metres tall.
It distinguished it from the closely related Osbeckia nayarii by examining its stem, leaves, flowers, and seeds.
The new species has an inflorescence bearing 30 to 35 flowers, compared with five to 12 in O. nayarii.
It has pink flowers, large opposite leaves, and a largely unbranched stem.
Its flowering and fruiting season extends from September to February.
It also has distinctive hairs along its stem and longer seeds.
Its conservation status has been classified as ‘Data Deficient’ under the IUCN criteria.

News: NEN

Osbeckia assamensis FAQs

Q1: What is Osbeckia assamensis?

Ans: It is a newly discovered species of flowering plant.

Q2: Where was Osbeckia assamensis discovered?

Ans: In the grasslands of Manas National Park in Assam.

Q3: What is the colour of the flowers of Osbeckia assamensis?

Ans: Pink.

Q4: What are the characteristic leaf features of Osbeckia assamensis?

Ans: Large, opposite leaves.

Q5: What is the IUCN conservation status of Osbeckia assamensis?

Ans: Data Deficient (DD).

Indian Navy Begins Rafale Marine Trials in Goa for INS Vikrant Operations

October 26, 2026

INS Vikrant Latest News

The Indian Navy recently commenced trials of the Rafale Marine fighter aircraft at the Shore Based Test Facility in Goa to validate modifications required for operations from the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

About INS Vikrant

It is India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier.
The ship has been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi.
It is the largest warship ever constructed in the country.
It takes its name from India’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant (R11), bought from the UK, which was decommissioned in 1997.
It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2022.
With the induction of INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy now has two aircraft carriers in its array–INS Vikramaditya (a modified Kiev-class aircraft carrier purchased from Russia) being the other one.
With it, India also joins the elite group of nations–the US, Russia, France, the UK, and China – who are capable of designing and constructing aircraft carriers.

INS Vikrant Features

Size: The carrier is 262.5 metres long and 61.6 metres wide, with a displacement of approximately 45,000 tonnes.
The massive aircraft carrier boasts 14 decks. The ship accommodates around 1,600 personnel, including women officers and sailors, and contains approximately 2,200 compartments.
Indigenous Content: 76 percent of the ship is indigenously built, including around 30,000 tonnes of specialty steel supplied by Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
Propulsion: It is powered by four gas turbines that together generate about 88 megawatts of power.
Speed: It can achieve a maximum designed speed of 28 knots.
Endurance: 8,600 miles (13,890 kilometres), and it is capable of functioning independently for up to 45 days at sea.
It is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).
It operates on the Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) system, which allows aircraft to take off using a ski jump and land with the help of arrester wires.

News: SWAR

INS Vikrant FAQs

Q1: What is INS Vikrant?

Ans: It is India's first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier.

Q2: Which shipyard constructed INS Vikrant?

Ans: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.

Q3: When was the new INS Vikrant commissioned into the Indian Navy?

Ans: It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2022.

Q4: What is the approximate displacement of INS Vikrant?

Ans: 45,000 tonnes.

Q5: What type of propulsion system does INS Vikrant use?

Ans: A gas-turbine propulsion system.

India Tasks GB Pant Institute with Coordinating ICIMOD Activities

October 26, 2026

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Latest News

The Union ministry of environment, forest & climate change (MoEFCC) recently tasked Almora’s GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE) with coordinating activities of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in India.

About International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

It is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
It was formally established and inaugurated on 5 December 1983.
It is based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
It works in and for its eight regional member countries (RMCs) of HKH: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Mission: Build and share knowledge that drives regional policy and action and attracts investment that enables the diverse countries and communities of the HKH to transition to greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient development.
Globalization and climate change have an increasing influence on the stability of fragile mountain ecosystems and the livelihoods of mountain people.
ICIMOD aims to assist mountain people to understand these changes, adapt to them, and make the most of new opportunities, while addressing upstream-downstream issues.
It supports regional transboundary programmes through partnerships with regional partner institutions, facilitates the exchange of experience, and serves as a regional knowledge hub.
It also strengthens networking among regional and global centres of excellence.

Key Facts about Hindu Kush Himalaya

It is a vast mountain region that extends 3500 km over eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
It is considered the Third Pole (after the North and South Poles) and has significant implications for climate.
It forms the largest area of permanent ice cover outside of the North and South Poles and is home to 4 global biodiversity hotspots.
It is the source of ten large Asian river systems: the Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, Yangtse, Yellow River, and Tarim.
The basins of these rivers provide water to 1.9 billion people, a fourth of the world’s population.

News: TOI

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development FAQ's

Q1: What is the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)?

Ans: It is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).

Q2: When was the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) formally established and inaugurated?

Ans: 5 December 1983.

Q3: Where is the headquarters of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) located?

Ans: Kathmandu, Nepal.

Q4: Which countries are the regional member countries of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)?

Ans: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

NCB Launches Operation Trident at 38 Locations Across Northeast India

October 26, 2026

Narcotics Control Bureau Latest News

Recently, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) launched ‘Operation Trident' with 38 teams striking 38 locations simultaneously across Assam, Mizoram, and Manipur.

About Narcotics Control Bureau

It is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
It was constituted on 14th November, 1985, under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).
Headquarters: New Delhi

Functions of Narcotics Control Bureau

Coordination: It coordinates among various Central and State Agencies engaged in drug law enforcement;
Assistance: It assists states in enhancing their drug law enforcement effort; Collection and dissemination of intelligence; analysis of seizure data, study of trends and modus operandi;
Liaisoning: It liaison with International agencies such as UNDCP, INCB, INTERPOL, Customs Cooperation Council, RILO etc;
It works as national contact point for intelligence and investigations
It also functions as an enforcement agency through its zonal offices.
It prepares National Drug Enforcement Statistics;
The zonal offices collect and analyse data related to seizures of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, study trends, modus operandi, collect and disseminate intelligence, and work in close cooperation with the Customs, State Police, and other law enforcement agencies.

Source: IT

Narcotics Control Bureau FAQs

Q1: What is Narcotics Control Bureau ?

Ans: It is the nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Q2: Narcotics Control Bureau was established under which act?

Ans: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act).

India Study Finds Melioidosis in 262 of 2,953 High-Risk Hospital Patients

October 26, 2026

Melioidosis Latest News

A study published in The Lancet Global Health, assessed high-risk hospitalised adults at 15 Indian tertiary-care centres between 2023 -2025 and confirmed melioidosis was found in 262 of 2,953 patients, of those diagnosed, 50 (19.1%) died in hospital.

About Melioidosis

It is an infectious disease caused by the environmental Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- Burkholderia pseudomallei is found in soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions.
It is seasonal, with 75–85% of cases occurring during the rainy season.
It is common in people living with: Diabetes, Alcohol use disorder, Chronic kidney disease Chronic lung disease (like cystic fibrosis or COPD).
Symptoms: Fever, headache, trouble breathing and Stomach or chest pain etc.
Transmission

- Infection usually occurs when contaminated soil or water enters the body through cuts or wounds.
- Inhalation of contaminated dust or water droplets and, less commonly, ingestion of contaminated water can also transmit the bacterium.
It is not typically transmitted from animals to humans, and human-to-human transmission is exceptionally rare.
Melioidosis can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infection, skin and soft-tissue infections, abscesses in organs such as the liver and spleen, septic arthritis and bone infections.
It is an infectious disease endemic in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, much of the Indian subcontinent, southern China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Treatment: Treatment has two phases: an initial intensive phase with intravenous antibiotics, followed by prolonged oral eradication therapy to reduce the risk of relapse.

Source: TH

Melioidosis FAQs

Q1: What is Melioidosis ?

Ans: It is an infectious disease.

Q2: What is the cause for Melioidosis ?

Ans: It is caused by the environmental Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.

DR Congo Starts Bundibugyo Ebola Vaccine Trial Amid 2026 Outbreak

October 26, 2026

Democratic Republic of Congo Latest News

The head of the World Health Organisation said that the first clinical trial of an Ebola vaccine began in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

About Democratic Republic of Congo

Location: It is located in Central Africa with the equator passing through the country.
Bordering countries: It is bordered by Angola, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia.
Maritime Border: It has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest.
Capital City: Kinshasa.

Geographical Features of Democratic Republic of Congo

Climate: It has an equatorial climate.
High Point: The highest point in the Republic of the Congo is Mount Nabemba.
Plateau region: Katanga. The plateaus are mostly covered in savanna grasslands.
Major River: It is drained by the Congo River.
Lakes: It has famous lakes like Lake Tanganyika, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Kivu
Volcanoes: Mount Nyiragongo which is an active volcano located in Virunga Mountains.
Natural Resources: The DRC is rich in natural resources such as industrial diamonds, cobalt, and copper etc

Source: TH

Democratic Republic of Congo FAQs

Q1: What is the capital of Democratic Republic of Congo ?

Ans: Kinshasa.

Q2: What type of climate is found in Democratic Republic of Congo ?

Ans: It has an equatorial climate.

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve: Tigress T-2403 Spotted with Three Cubs

October 26, 2026

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Latest News

Recently, Tigress T-2403 was spotted with three cubs in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Sawai Madhopur.

About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve

Location: It is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan.
It derives its name from the Ranthambore Fort (a World Heritage Site) situated within its precincts.
It is located at the junction (great boundary fault) of the Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges.
It is one of the largest tiger reserves in northern India. It spans an area of roughly 1,411 sq.km.
Topography: It boasts a spectacular landscape filled with boulder-strewn highland plateaus, lakes, and rivers dotted with old forts and abandoned mosques.
Vegetation: It is dry deciduous forests and open grassy meadow.
Rivers: It is bounded to the north by the Banas River and to the south by the Chambal River.
There are several lakes in the park known as Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, and Malik Talab.
Flora: Pure sands of Dhok tree (Anogeissus pendula) interspersed with grasslands at the plateaus, and other species like Acacia, Capparis, Zizyphus, Prosopis, etc are found here.
Fauna
- It consists of leopard, caracal, jungle cat, sambar, chital, chinkara, and wild boar.
- Peacocks, partridges, green pigeons, parakeets, sparrows, prinias, warblers, etc. are examples of avifauna.

Source: News On Air

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Where is Ranthambore Tiger Reserve located?

Ans: Rajasthan.

Q2: What type of vegetation is found in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve ?

Ans: It is dry deciduous forests and open grassy meadow.