8 September 2026 Current Affairs
Important UPSC & PCS Notes | Prelims + Mains
GENERAL STUDIES – II | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. BRICS: Objectives and India’s Role
Why in News: BRICS remains an important platform for cooperation among major emerging economies and for strengthening the voice of the Global South.
Key Points
- BRICS provides a platform for cooperation among emerging economies.
- Its agenda includes economic cooperation, development, multilateral coordination and greater representation of developing countries.
- India uses BRICS to advance the interests of the Global South and support a more representative international order.
- For India, BRICS is also significant for economic cooperation, development partnerships and strategic engagement with major emerging economies.
Prelims MCQ
Which one of the following best describes the significance of BRICS for India?
A. It is exclusively a military alliance.
B. It provides a platform for cooperation among emerging economies and for raising Global South concerns.
C. It is a regional organisation limited to Europe.
D. It is a treaty for nuclear disarmament only.
Which one of the following best describes the significance of BRICS for India?
A. It is exclusively a military alliance.
B. It provides a platform for cooperation among emerging economies and for raising Global South concerns.
C. It is a regional organisation limited to Europe.
D. It is a treaty for nuclear disarmament only.
Answer: B
Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of BRICS for India’s foreign policy and explain how India can use the platform to strengthen the voice of the Global South.
Discuss the significance of BRICS for India’s foreign policy and explain how India can use the platform to strengthen the voice of the Global South.
GENERAL STUDIES – III | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
2. Space Technology and Development
Why in News: Space technology is increasingly being viewed as a development tool, with applications extending beyond scientific exploration.
Key Points
- Earth observation satellites can support agriculture, disaster management, weather monitoring, environmental assessment and resource management.
- Ground control systems are essential for communication, tracking and operational management of satellites.
- The Indian space ecosystem includes ISRO along with institutions and initiatives supporting private participation and commercialisation.
- The Indian Space Policy 2023 provides a framework for wider participation of non-government entities in the space sector.
Prelims MCQ
Consider the following statements about Earth observation technology:
1. It can support disaster management.
2. It can help in monitoring natural resources.
3. It has applications only in astronomy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Consider the following statements about Earth observation technology:
1. It can support disaster management.
2. It can help in monitoring natural resources.
3. It has applications only in astronomy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Mains Question:
Explain how space technology can become an instrument of inclusive development in India. Discuss the role of public institutions and private participation in this process.
Explain how space technology can become an instrument of inclusive development in India. Discuss the role of public institutions and private participation in this process.
GENERAL STUDIES – II & III | ECONOMY, TRADE & SCIENCE
3. U.S. Tariffs and Indian Research & Innovation
Why in News: Changes in U.S. tariff policy can have wider implications for Indian trade, research collaboration and innovation-linked economic activity.
Key Points
- Tariff measures can influence the cost and competitiveness of traded goods.
- Higher trade barriers may affect export-oriented sectors and supply chains.
- Research and innovation ecosystems can also be affected when international collaboration, technology flows or investment decisions change.
- India needs to strengthen domestic research capacity while maintaining diversified international partnerships.
Prelims MCQ
Which of the following can be a possible consequence of higher import tariffs?
A. Automatic elimination of all supply-chain risks
B. Changes in the competitiveness and cost structure of traded goods
C. Guaranteed increase in international research collaboration
D. Complete removal of trade barriers
Which of the following can be a possible consequence of higher import tariffs?
A. Automatic elimination of all supply-chain risks
B. Changes in the competitiveness and cost structure of traded goods
C. Guaranteed increase in international research collaboration
D. Complete removal of trade barriers
Answer: B
Mains Question:
Examine how external tariff measures can affect India’s trade, research and innovation ecosystem. Suggest measures to strengthen India’s resilience.
Examine how external tariff measures can affect India’s trade, research and innovation ecosystem. Suggest measures to strengthen India’s resilience.
GENERAL STUDIES – III | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY + SOCIAL ISSUES
4. Meta, Teenagers and Social Media Addiction
Why in News: Concerns over excessive social-media use among teenagers have renewed the debate on digital well-being, platform responsibility and protection of children online.
Key Points
- Excessive social-media use can raise concerns related to attention, sleep, mental well-being and healthy development.
- Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to persuasive digital design and continuous engagement mechanisms.
- Child online safety requires a combination of parental awareness, digital literacy, responsible platform design and effective regulation.
- The policy challenge is to balance innovation and freedom of expression with protection of minors and digital well-being.
Prelims MCQ
Which of the following is most appropriate in the context of protecting teenagers from harmful effects of excessive social-media use?
A. Only banning all digital technology
B. Digital literacy, parental awareness, responsible platform design and suitable regulation
C. Removing all privacy safeguards
D. Ending access to educational technology
Which of the following is most appropriate in the context of protecting teenagers from harmful effects of excessive social-media use?
A. Only banning all digital technology
B. Digital literacy, parental awareness, responsible platform design and suitable regulation
C. Removing all privacy safeguards
D. Ending access to educational technology
Answer: B
Mains Question:
Discuss the emerging challenges associated with excessive social-media use among adolescents. How can India balance digital innovation with the protection of children?
Discuss the emerging challenges associated with excessive social-media use among adolescents. How can India balance digital innovation with the protection of children?
GENERAL STUDIES – II | GOVERNANCE & SECURITY
5. Defence Acquisition Council: Defence Procurement
Why in News: The Defence Acquisition Council approved defence procurement proposals worth about ₹1.10 lakh crore, with emphasis on strengthening defence preparedness and indigenous capability.
Key Points
- The Defence Acquisition Council is a key institutional mechanism in India’s defence procurement process.
- Large procurement decisions have implications for national security, defence preparedness and domestic defence manufacturing.
- Indigenisation can reduce excessive dependence on foreign sources and strengthen domestic industrial capacity.
- Defence procurement policy also has implications for technology development, employment and strategic autonomy.
Prelims MCQ
The Defence Acquisition Council is primarily associated with:
A. Monetary policy
B. Defence procurement and acquisition decisions
C. Environmental clearance
D. Election management
The Defence Acquisition Council is primarily associated with:
A. Monetary policy
B. Defence procurement and acquisition decisions
C. Environmental clearance
D. Election management
Answer: B
Mains Question:
Defence procurement is not merely a security issue but also an instrument of industrial and technological development. Discuss in the context of India’s push for defence indigenisation.
Defence procurement is not merely a security issue but also an instrument of industrial and technological development. Discuss in the context of India’s push for defence indigenisation.
GENERAL STUDIES – II | CONSUMER PROTECTION
6. Central Consumer Protection Authority and Misleading “100%” Claims
Why in News: The Central Consumer Protection Authority has taken a firm view against potentially misleading “100%” claims used in advertising and marketing.
Key Points
- Consumers have a right to receive accurate and non-misleading information about goods and services.
- Absolute claims such as “100%” can become misleading when they create an impression that cannot be objectively substantiated.
- The Central Consumer Protection Authority plays an important role in addressing unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements.
- Effective consumer protection improves transparency, accountability and trust in markets.
Prelims MCQ
Which institution is specifically associated with action against misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices under India’s consumer protection framework?
A. Central Consumer Protection Authority
B. Election Commission of India
C. Finance Commission
D. Union Public Service Commission
Which institution is specifically associated with action against misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices under India’s consumer protection framework?
A. Central Consumer Protection Authority
B. Election Commission of India
C. Finance Commission
D. Union Public Service Commission
Answer: A
Mains Question:
Examine the importance of regulating misleading advertisements in protecting consumers. Discuss the role of the Central Consumer Protection Authority in ensuring transparency in markets.
Examine the importance of regulating misleading advertisements in protecting consumers. Discuss the role of the Central Consumer Protection Authority in ensuring transparency in markets.
