UPSC Current Affairs 08 April 2026

 
Contents
1. International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026
2. Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026
3. Biological Diversity Act, 2002
4. Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets
5. Indian Crested Porcupine
6. New Nematode Species
7. Government e Marketplace
8. Psychedelics
9. Tar balls
10. Guru Tegh Bahadur
 
 

 
Why in News?
The International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 is in the news because the Election Commission of India (ECI) officially inaugurated the program on April 7, 2026, for international delegates to witness the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections in India.
 
Program Overview

• Election Cycle: The program is timed for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry (Phase I) and West Bengal and Tamil Nadu (Phase II).
• Global Interest: Delegates from 23 countries arrived to observe India's electoral technology, specifically Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPAT systems. 

• Objective: To showcase the strengths of India's electoral system and share best practices of the world’s largest democracy with global Election Management Bodies (EMBs).
• Flagship Initiative: It is a regular ECI outreach program for international cooperation and engagement. 

Participants

• Volume: 43 delegates are participating in the first phase.
• Diversity: Representatives come from 23 different countries and five foreign missions based in Delhi. 

Itinerary & Activities

• Phase I (April 8–9, 2026): Delegates travel to Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry to witness actual polling on the morning of April 9.
• Phase II (From April 20, 2026): Observations move to West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
• Hands-on Training: Participants attended mock polls and EVM demonstrations at IIIDEM to understand administrative safeguards.
• Facility Visits: Delegates visit District Control Rooms, Media Monitoring Centres, and Dispatch/Distribution Centres. 

Technological Focus

• EVM/VVPAT: A major part of the program involves explaining the technological interventions that ensure transparent and fair voting.
• Administrative Safeguards: Experts interact with delegates to clarify doubts regarding voter list preparation and security measures. 

India's Global Role

• International IDEA: The 2026 IEVP aligns with India’s Chair ship of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026, themed "Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world".

   
Why in News?
The Draft Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulation, 2026 is in the news because the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released it on April 7, 2026, to mandate more affordable, non-data mobile plans for consumers.
 
About

• Addressing Gaps: The regulator found that previous mandates (from 2024) were insufficient, as telecom operators offered very few "Voice and SMS-only" plans.
• High Pricing: TRAI observed that current voice-only packs are often priced disproportionately high compared to bundled data plans.
• Public Call for Comments: Stakeholders and the public have been invited to submit written comments by April 28, 2026. 

Core Mandate

• Matching Plans: For every unique validity period offered in a bundled pack (Voice + SMS + Data), operators must now provide a corresponding pack exclusively for Voice and SMS.
• Proportional Pricing: These standalone packs must be priced with a largely proportional reduction in tariff, reflecting the removal of data benefits. 

Primary Beneficiaries

• Feature Phone Users: Millions who do not use internet services but are recently forced to pay for data-bundled recharges.
• Low-Income Groups: Provides affordable, shorter-duration choices for those with limited budgets.
• Elderly & Rural Consumers: Specifically targets demographics that rely primarily on basic voice calls. 

Operational Requirements for Telcos

• Visibility: Service providers must clearly publish and prominently display these voice-only vouchers across all touchpoints (websites, apps, retail outlets, and PoS).
• Transparency: The move aims to prevent "forced procurement" of unwanted bundled services.
• Deadline for Feedback: Comments are to be sent to the Advisor (Financial & Economic Analysis) at TRAI by the end of April 2026. 

Regulatory Context

• Evolution: This follows the Twelfth Amendment (2024), which only required operators to offer "at least one" such plan. The 2026 draft makes it mandatory across all validity periods to ensure parity with data-heavy offerings.

   
Why in News?
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is in the news because the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified two key institutions as National Repositories on April 7, 2026, to strengthen the scientific conservation and systematic documentation of India’s biological resources.
 
About

• Surge in IPR Filings: The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) reported a significant rise in biodiversity-linked Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) applications, receiving 1,077 applications between April 2025 and March 2026.
• Regulatory Reforms: These trends are attributed to the successful implementation of the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, which streamlined approval pathways and introduced the Certificate of Registration (CoR) for researchers.
• National Reports: In March 2026, India submitted its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its first report on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

Core Objectives

• Conservation: Protecting India's rich flora, fauna, and diverse ecosystems.
• Sustainable Use: Ensuring the use of biological components does not lead to long-term decline.
• Fair & Equitable Sharing: Guaranteeing that benefits from biological resources reach local communities and traditional knowledge holders. 

Three-Tier Institutional Structure

1. National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): Based in Chennai, it grants approvals for foreign access and IPR applications.
2. State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs): Regulate access by Indian nationals for commercial purposes within states.
3. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): Local bodies that prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) to document local species and traditional knowledge. 

Major Provisions & Restrictions

• Prior Approval: Non-Indians and foreign companies must get NBA approval before obtaining any biological resource for research or commercial use.
• IPR Controls: No person can apply for a patent based on Indian biological resources without prior NBA consent.
• Benefit Sharing: Mandates that a portion of the commercial profit from biological resources be shared with local communities.
• Strict Penalties: Violations were historically cognizable and non-bailable, carrying up to 5 years of imprisonment. 

Recent Amendments (2023–2026) 

• Decriminalisation: The 2023 Amendment replaced jail terms with heavy monetary penalties (₹1 lakh to ₹50 lakhs) to encourage compliance.
• AYUSH Exemption: Registered AYUSH practitioners and those using codified traditional knowledge are now exempt from giving prior intimation to SBBs for certain uses.
• Digital Integration: Introduction of DSI (Digital Sequence Information) into the benefit-sharing framework and electronic Certificates of Origin.

   
Why in News?
The Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM) is in the news because the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) held a pre-bid conference on April 7, 2026, for prospective global and domestic bidders.

About

• This marks a critical step in implementing the ₹7,280 crore program following the release of the Request for Proposal (RFP) on March 20, 2026.

• Active Bidding: The bidding window is currently open, with the deadline for submissions set for May 28, 2026.
• Budget Complement: The Union Budget 2026–27 recently announced "Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors" in coastal states to support this manufacturing scheme.
• Import Crisis: India imported over 53,000 tonnes of rare earth magnets in 2024–25 (90% from China), making this domestic push a high priority for national security.

Program Specifications

• Target Capacity: To establish 6,000 Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of integrated manufacturing capacity in India.
• Full Value Chain: The scheme covers the entire midstream process—converting Rare Earth Oxides → Metals → Alloys → Finished Sintered Magnets. 

Incentive Structure

• Sales-Linked Incentive (SLI): ₹6,450 crore to be disbursed over 5 years based on actual sales.
• Capital Subsidy: ₹750 crore to support the setting up of advanced, integrated facilities.
• Raw Material Support: The first three beneficiaries with the lowest bids receive an assured supply of NdPr oxide from IREL (India) Ltd. 

Beneficiary Selection

• Number of Winners: Up to 5 beneficiaries will be selected via global competitive bidding.
• Individual Cap: Each beneficiary is eligible for a capacity of 600 to 1,200 MTPA.
• Selection Method: Uses a transparent Least Cost System (LCS) involving technical and financial evaluation. 

Implementation Timeline

• Total Duration: 7 years.
• Gestation Period: First 2 years for setting up the integrated manufacturing plant.
• Incentive Period: Subsequent 5 years linked to production and sales. 

Strategic Importance

• Key Sectors: Essential for Electric Vehicle (EV) motors, wind turbines, defence systems, and aerospace.
• Global Position: Aims to break the global monopoly (China currently controls ~90% of production).
• Economic Impact: Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and India's Net Zero 2070 mission by localising clean-energy components. 

   
Why in News?
The Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) is in the news because it has recently emerged as a significant agricultural pest in the Kashmir Valley, specifically targeting high-value saffron corms. 
 
Biological Features

• Largest Rodent: It is the largest rodent found in the Indian subcontinent, weighing up to 18 kg.
• Quill Defence: Its back is covered in sharp black-and-white quills (modified hairs). Contrary to myth, it cannot "shoot" quills; instead, it raises them and charges backward into threats.
• Nocturnal Lifestyle: They are primarily active at night, spending about 7 hours foraging and staying in deep burrows during the day.
• Burrow Architects: They dig elaborate burrows up to 13 metres long, often sharing them with other species like bats and reptiles. 

Habitat & Distribution

• Range: Found across South and Central Asia, including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
• Adaptability: They thrive in diverse environments, from arid deserts and rocky hillsides to tropical forests and agricultural farmlands. 

Diet & Ecology

• Generalist Foragers: Mostly herbivorous, eating roots, bulbs (geophytes), fruits, and grains.
• Bone Gnawing: They often chew on bones to obtain calcium needed for quill growth.
• Habitat Modifiers: By digging for tubers, they act as soil modifiers, influencing local ecosystem dynamics. 

Conservation & Legal Status

• IUCN Red List: Categorised as Least Concern (LC) due to its wide range and stable population.
• Wildlife Protection Act (India):
  • Historically listed under Schedule IV.
  • Upgraded to Schedule I (highest protection) under the 2022 Amendment, granting it "Z-class" security from hunting.
• Threats: Despite its pest status, it faces threats from habitat loss, road accidents, and hunting for medicinal use or bushmeat.

   
Why in News?
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata, have recently discovered two new free‑living marine nematode species off the coast of Tamil Nadu.
 
About Species

• The two new species are named:
  • Corononema dhriti
  • Epacanthion indica
• Both are free‑living marine nematodes, not parasites; they live in sandy‑benthic habitats of the coastal ocean.
• They were discovered in samples collected off the Tamil Nadu coast and described by ZSI scientists.

Taxonomic and morphological features

• Corononema dhriti:
  • A free‑living marine nematode adapted to benthic (sea‑floor) environments.
  • Its morphology helps refine the genus Corononema, which is already known from other marine regions.
• Epacanthion indica:
  • Possesses specialised mandibles and tooth‑like structures, making it a microscopic predator feeding on smaller organisms.
  • Unlike many nematodes that eat microbes, this predatory habit places it higher in the benthic food web, indicating ecological diversity.

Scientific and ecological significance

• The discoveries:
  • Increase the number of known nematode species from India and the world, adding to taxonomic databases.
  • Show that even relatively accessible coastal zones can harbour undescribed species, stressing the need for more systematic surveys.
• Nematodes play crucial roles in:
  • Nutrient cycling (decomposition, organic‑matter processing).
  • Soil and sediment structure, and as prey for other benthic organisms.

Relevant context: other recent nematode discoveries in India

• In 2025, ZSI scientists also described a new soil‑dwelling nematode, Crassolabium dhritiae, from Odisha, named after Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI.
• That finding increased the global count of Crassolabium species to 39, with 9 now recorded from India, underscoring India’s rich soil‑invertebrate biodiversity.

Brief on nematodes (Nematoda) as a group

• Nematodes are unsegmented, worm‑like organisms belonging to the phylum Nematoda; they are among the most abundant animals on Earth.
• They occur as:
  • Free‑living forms in soil, fresh water, and marine sediments.
  • Parasites of plants, animals, and humans (e.g., hookworms, some crop pests).

   
Why in News?
The Government e Marketplace (GeM) is in the news because it recently achieved a major milestone, crossing a cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of ₹18.4 lakh crore as of April 6, 2026. This includes achieving over ₹5 lakh crore in the single financial year of 2025–26.
 
Platform Overview

• Launch: Established in August 2016 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Ownership: Owned by GeM SPV, a 100% government-owned non-profit company.
• Mandate: Rule 149 of the General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017 makes it mandatory for government entities to procure available goods and services through GeM. 

Stakeholder Participation

• Buyers: Over 1.6 lakh registered buyers from Central/State ministries, PSUs, Panchayats, and Cooperatives.
• Sellers: More than 22 lakh registered sellers, including over 11 lakh MSEs and 2.1 lakh women-led enterprises.
• Inclusivity Initiatives:
  • SWAYATT: For startups, women, and youth advantage.
  • Womaniya: Dedicated to women-led micro-enterprises. 

Technological Features

• GeM AI: A generative AI-based chatbot and search tool for improved product comparison and price discovery.
• GeM Sahay 2.0: A mobile-based lending platform providing sellers access to instant, collateral-free loans up to ₹10 lakh based on their purchase orders.
• Analytics: Uses Machine Learning for Bid Health Scores and anomaly detection to prevent collusive bidding. 

Efficiency & Savings

• Cost Savings: Independent assessments (World Bank) show an average saving of nearly 9.75% on median prices.
• Public Savings: Has facilitated cumulative savings exceeding ₹1.15 lakh crore for the government.

   
Why in News?
In April 2026, scientists identified a shared "neural fingerprint" across major psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, DMT, etc.), showing they increase cross-talk between brain systems and reorganize brain architecture.
 
About

• After decades of prohibition, substances like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD are being repositioned as mainstream pharmaceutical candidates for treatment-resistant mental health conditions.

• Big Pharma Entry: Major drugmakers have decisively moved into the field. AbbVie recently committed $1.2 billion to acquire a short-acting psychedelic program for depression, signalling that psychedelics are now viewed as a serious commercial business.
• Legislative Momentum: In March 2026, new U.S. Senate bills were introduced to fund psychedelic therapies specifically for military veterans to combat the suicide crisis.
• DEA Quota Hikes: The DEA significantly increased 2026 legal production quotas for psilocybin and DMT to accommodate the explosion in clinical research.

How They Work?

• Neuroplasticity: Unlike traditional antidepressants that manage symptoms daily, psychedelics are "psychoplastogens"—they promote the growth of new neural connections and "reset" rigid brain networks.
• Default Mode Network (DMN): They temporarily downregulate the DMN (the "ego" center), allowing for profound shifts in perspective and self-awareness.
• Neuroplastogens: A new class of non-hallucinogenic "psychedelic-adjacent" compounds is being developed to offer healing benefits without the "trip," potentially allowing for broader clinical use. 

Major Medical Applications

• Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD): Psilocybin has shown rapid, sustained reductions in symptoms where other drugs failed.
• PTSD: MDMA-assisted therapy has reached Phase 3 trials, showing substantial efficacy in helping veterans and trauma survivors.
• End-of-Life Anxiety: Used in palliative care to help terminally ill patients find peace and acceptance.
• Addiction: Ongoing trials target alcohol and smoking cessation by disrupting compulsive behavioural patterns. 

Regulatory & Safety Status

• FDA Status: Several compounds (including variants of psilocybin and LSD) hold Breakthrough Therapy Designation, which expedites their review process.
• The "MDMA Setback": While showing high efficacy, the FDA recently requested additional late-stage trials for MDMA to address concerns about "unblinding" (patients knowing they were on the drug) and trial objectivity.
• Legal Models: Countries like Australia, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic have recently established highly controlled therapeutic access programs.

   
Why in News?
Tar balls are in the news because of their early and unusually heavy arrival on the western coastline of India, particularly in Goa and Maharashtra, during the first week of April 2026.
 
What are Tar Balls?

• Composition: They are dark-coloured, sticky balls of semi-solid weathered crude oil.
• Formation: When oil spills occur in the ocean, lighter components evaporate, while the heavier, sticky parts undergo physical and chemical changes (weathering) and are shaped into balls by wave action.
• Transport: They float on the ocean surface and are pushed to the shores by high winds and strong sea currents. 

Major Sources

• Ship Discharges: Intentional or accidental discharge of oily waste (bilge water) from large tankers and merchant ships.
• Oil Spills: Large-scale leaks from offshore oil platforms (e.g., Bombay High) or tanker collisions.
• Natural Seeps: Minor amounts can occur from natural oil leaks on the ocean floor. 

Environmental & Health Hazards

• Marine Life: They are toxic to fish, turtles, and crabs. They can clog the gills of marine organisms and contaminate the food chain.
• Mangroves: If they settle in mangrove roots, they can suffocate the trees by preventing oxygen exchange.
• Human Health: Skin contact can cause allergic reactions, rashes, and dermatitis. Ingesting contaminated seafood poses long-term health risks.
• Economy: Significant impact on the tourism industry as beaches become unusable and "dirty." 

Mitigation and Management

• Manual Cleanup: Currently, the most common method is manual picking by sanitation workers, which is labour-intensive.
• Oil Zapping: Research into bioremediation using oil-eating bacteria (developed by institutes like TERI) to break down the hydrocarbons.
• Satellite Monitoring: Using ISRO’s satellite imagery to track oil slicks in real-time to identify the offending vessels.

 
 
   
Why in News?
Guru Tegh Bahadur is in the news mainly because 2025–26 marks the 350th anniversary of his martyrdom (Shaheedi Diwas), and the Indian government, Sikh institutions, and political leaders have been highlighting his legacy as a symbol of religious freedom and resistance to forced conversions under Mughal rule.
 
About

• National Commemoration: High-level commemorative events were organized to highlight his role as 'Hind Di Chadar' (Protector of India) and his sacrifice for religious freedom.
• Digital Museum: Reports mention the inauguration of new digital galleries dedicated to his life and travels at the India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) complex in New Delhi as part of cultural outreach. 

Basic Profile

• Birth: Born on April 1, 1621, in Amritsar as Tyag Mal.
• Parents: Youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib (the 6th Guru) and Mata Nanaki.
• Spiritual Title: Became the 9th Sikh Guru in 1664, following the 8th Guru, Guru Harkrishan.
• Successor: Father of the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 

"Hind Di Chadar" (The Shield of India)

• Religious Freedom: He is uniquely remembered for sacrificing his life to protect the religious identity of Kashmiri Pandits who sought his help against forced conversions by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
• Martyrdom (1675): He was executed in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, on the orders of Aurangzeb after refusing to convert to Islam.
• Legacy of Courage: His martyrdom is seen as a supreme sacrifice for the right of all people to practice their faith freely, regardless of their religion. 

Important Gurdwaras

• Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib (Delhi): Built at the site of his execution.
• Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib (Delhi): Site where his body was cremated.
• Gurdwara Baba Bakala (Punjab): Where he meditated for over 20 years and was formally identified as the 9th Guru.
• Anandpur Sahib: He founded the city of Chakk Nanaki in 1665, which later became known as Anandpur Sahib. 

Spiritual Contributions

• Gurbani: Contributed 115 hymns (shloks) to the Guru Granth Sahib, characterized by themes of detachment, humility, and the transitory nature of the world.
• Travels: He travelled extensively across India (including Assam, Bengal, and Bihar) to spread the message of Nanak and establish community kitchens (Langar). 

Relation to Contemporary Issues

• Religious Tolerance: His life is frequently cited in modern Indian discourse as a symbol of secularism and pluralism.
• Human Rights: Scholars often describe him as one of the world's first prominent "Human Rights activists" because he died for the rights of a community other than his own. 

Question & Answer
 
Q1. Which of the following newly discovered nematode species is identified as a microscopic predator?
A. Corononema dhriti
B. Epacanthion indica
C. Crassolabium dhritiae
D. Both A and C

Answer: B
 
 
Q2. The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) was launched under which ministry?
A. Ministry of Finance
B. Ministry of Electronics and IT
C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
D. Ministry of MSME

Answer: C
 
 
Q3. Psychedelics primarily act by affecting which brain network associated with self-identity?
A. Limbic System
B. Default Mode Network (DMN)
C. Cerebellar Network
D. Peripheral Nervous System

Answer: B
 
 
Q4. Tar balls are mainly formed due to which of the following processes?
A. Coral bleaching
B. Weathering of crude oil in oceans
C. Volcanic eruptions underwater
D. Sedimentation of organic matter

Answer: B
 
 
Q5. Guru Tegh Bahadur is remembered for sacrificing his life to protect which community?
A. Sikhs of Punjab
B. Marathas
C. Kashmiri Pandits
D. Rajputs

Answer: C
 

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