UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol marks its 10th anniversary on 15 October 2026. Adopted in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2016, the amendment aims to gradually reduce the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful greenhouse gases commonly used in air conditioners and refrigerators.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav released two cheetahs, Vyom and Neera, into the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (Nauradehi) in Sagar district on October 7, 2026.

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has stated that the proposed 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) is intended not merely for power generation but primarily for water storage, regulation and management in the Siang basin.

The use of animals as instruments of diplomacy has again attracted attention in 2026, highlighting a practice that stretches from ancient royal courts to modern international relations.

The Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA) has declared Jawahar Dweep Marine Oil Terminal a plastic-free facility, making it the first plastic-free oil terminal in India.

The Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project (SUHEP) in Arunachal Pradesh has moved a step closer to environmental clearance after the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recommended the project for environmental clearance.

The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology launched the commercial use of bio-based biodegradable plastic based on Polylactic Acid (PLA) under BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment). 

India and the Netherlands signed two tripartite Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on 24 September 2026 for technical cooperation and capacity building related to the Kalpasar Project in Gujarat.

Japan was hit by Typhoon Dujuan on September 21–22, 2026, bringing torrential rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides to Tokyo and nearby regions.

World Rhino Day is celebrated annually on 22 September to raise awareness about the conservation of all five surviving rhinoceros species.