📰 PIB Notes UPSC – 18 August 2026
📅 Monday, 18 August 2026
8 Topics Covered Today
🌍 India's FTA Export Landscape
🥥 Coconut Sector – Kalpavriksha
⛏️ MMDR Amendment Act 2026
🏅 National Sports Awards 2025
🌳 Raichur Miyawaki Forest
🌿 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting
🇪🇺 EU CBAM Awareness Session
🎵 Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 Concluded
PIB Backgrounder – Ministry of Commerce & Industry
🌍 India's Trade Agreements in Action – FTA Export Landscape
📝 Key Notes
- India's FY 2025-26 exports:
- Combined merchandise + services: US$ 863.1 billion (record)
- Merchandise exports: US$ 441.8 billion
- April-June 2026: US$ 232.73 billion (11.37% growth YoY)
- Top FTA export markets (FY 2025-26):
- ASEAN: US$ 38,416 million (largest FTA group market)
- UAE: US$ 37,359 million (largest individual FTA country market)
- SAFTA: US$ 25,774 million; UK: US$ 13,444 million; Singapore: US$ 11,863 million
- India-UAE CEPA (in force 1 May 2022):
- First full FTA in a decade; negotiations completed in record 88 days
- Bilateral trade crossed US$ 100.06 billion in FY 2024-25 (19.6% growth)
- Target: US$ 200 billion by 2032
- India-Australia ECTA (in force 29 December 2022):
- India's first trade agreement with a developed economy in over a decade
- Total bilateral trade: US$ 24.1 billion in FY 2024-25
- Indian exports rose from US$ 4 billion (FY 2020-21) to US$ 7.28 billion (FY 2025-26) — 80%+ growth
- Australia provides duty-free access to 100% of tariff lines from 2026
- Being upgraded to full CECA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement)
- Preferential CoO Usage:
- EFTA TEPA generated 7,885 CoOs (operational Oct 2025)
- Oman CEPA: 783 CoOs (operational June 2026)
- Simplified export facilitation:
- e-CoO 2.0: End-to-end digital issuance with Aadhaar e-sign and QR verification
- UK CETA & EFTA TEPA allow origin via self-declaration
- UK agreement: waives origin documentation for consignments below £1,000 (supports e-commerce & MSMEs)
- Trade Connect Platform — Tariff Explorer and MSME support
- Recent FTAs Market Access Coverage:
- India-UK CETA: ~99% of Indian exports duty-free
- India-UAE CEPA: 97% of UAE tariff lines (99% of Indian exports)
- India-Australia ECTA: 100% of Australian tariff lines
- India-EFTA TEPA: 92.2% tariff lines (99.6% of exports)
- India-Oman CEPA: 98% of Oman's tariff lines
- Around 10 new trade agreements under discussion — Eurasian Economic Union, Peru, Chile, Israel, Canada, Maldives
- India-Korea CEPA and India-Sri Lanka ETCA being upgraded
- Services sector: ~30% of India's employment; exports US$ 421.3 billion in FY 2025-26
US$ 863.1 Bn
Total Exports FY 2025-26 (Record)
US$ 37,359 Mn
India's Exports to UAE (Largest FTA Market)
88 Days
Time to Negotiate India-UAE CEPA
100% Tariff Lines
Duty-Free Access to Australia (from 2026)
📋 India's Major FTAs at a Glance
| FTA | In Force | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| India-UAE CEPA | 1 May 2022 | Bilateral trade crossed US$100 bn; target $200 bn by 2032 |
| India-Australia ECTA | 29 Dec 2022 | 100% Australian tariff lines duty-free from 2026 |
| India-EFTA TEPA | Oct 2025 | US$100 bn investment commitment; 1 million jobs |
| India-Oman CEPA | June 2026 | 98% of Oman tariff lines covered |
| India-UK CETA | Recent | 99% Indian exports duty-free; £4,000 cr social security savings |
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- FTA Types: CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), CECA (Cooperation Agreement), ECTA (Trade Agreement), TEPA (Trade & Economic Partnership Agreement), CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement)
- EFTA = European Free Trade Association — 4 members: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein
- Certificate of Origin (CoO) — mandatory proof for claiming FTA preferential tariff benefits; establishes goods meet Rules of Origin
- MFN (Most-Favoured-Nation) — WTO principle: all trading partners must be treated equally in tariff/trade matters
- Rules of Origin — criteria to determine national source of a product for FTA benefits
- Double Contribution Convention — under India-UK CETA, prevents dual social-security payments; savings estimated ₹4,000+ crore
- Trade Connect ePlatform — MoCI's exporter support platform under Ministry of Commerce
- India's target: US$ 2 trillion exports by 2030; US$ 21 trillion by 2047
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to India's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), consider the following statements:
1. India-UAE CEPA was India's first full FTA in a decade with negotiations completed in 88 days.
2. India-Australia ECTA provides duty-free access to 100% of Australian tariff lines for Indian exports from 2026.
3. Under India-UK CETA, exporters must submit origin documentation for all consignments regardless of value.
4. India-EFTA TEPA covers 92.2% of tariff lines, representing 99.6% of India's exports.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong — India-UK CETA waives origin documentation for consignments below £1,000 to support e-commerce shipments and small businesses. It also allows origin proof through self-declaration and importer's knowledge, reflecting the new simplified rules under recent FTAs.
PIB Backgrounder – Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
🥥 India's Coconut Sector – From Kalpavriksha to Global Prominence
📝 Key Notes
- Coconut revered as "Kalpavriksha" — sustains ~30 million people, including 10 million farmers
- India ranks:
- 1st globally in coconut production (31.24% of global total)
- 3rd in cultivation area (17.90%)
- 2024-25 production: 20,301.22 million nuts from 2.19 million hectares
- Productivity: 9,249 nuts/hectare
- State Rankings:
- Area: Keralam (7.54 lakh hectares)
- Production: Tamil Nadu (highest)
- Productivity: Andhra Pradesh (highest), then West Bengal, Tamil Nadu
- Coconut Development Board (CDB) — established 12 January 1981; HQ Kochi; under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- ₹147.21 crore released during 2025-26
- Functions across 22 States/UTs
- MSP for Copra 2026:
- Milling copra: ₹12,027/quintal (up ₹445)
- Ball copra: ₹12,500/quintal (up ₹400)
- Nodal agencies: NAFED and NCCF
- Coconut Exports:
- 2025-26: ₹7,038.35 crore (USD 794.70 million)
- 62% increase over previous year
- From only ₹25.3 crore in 2001-02
- Top markets: USA, UAE, Sri Lanka, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Belgium, UK, Netherlands
- Products: activated carbon (dominant), coconut oil, fresh/frozen/grated coconut, copra, desiccated coconut, virgin coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut water
- 2025-26 Achievements:
- ~2,175 hectares brought under new cultivation
- 1,672 hectares covered under rejuvenation
- 2.41 lakh quality seedlings produced in 11 DSPFs
- Coconut Promotion Scheme — announced in Union Budget 2026-27
- Part of ₹350 crore allocation for high-value agriculture (with cashew, cocoa)
- Addresses pest outbreaks, root wilt disease, aging plantations
- Aims: Global leader in coconut and coir exports by 2030s
- Key CDB Schemes:
- PICCS (Productivity Improvement through Coconut-Based Cropping System): 18,800 hectares covered in 2025-26; benefits 48,696 farmers
- Neera Tapping Training — zero-alcohol coconut palm health drink
- Kera Suraksha Insurance — for coconut tree climbers, Neera technicians
- FoCT (Friends of Coconut Tree) — climbing training for youth
- Cocomitra — climbers task force
- Kera Kaushal Kendra — handicraft centres with ₹2.67 lakh assistance
1st Globally
India in Coconut Production (31.24%)
₹7,038.35 Crore
Coconut Exports FY 2025-26 (+62%)
Kochi
Coconut Development Board HQ (est. 1981)
₹12,027/Q
MSP for Milling Copra 2026
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- Copra = dried kernel of coconut; two types: Milling copra (oil extraction) and Ball copra (dry fruit, religious use)
- Copra is one of 22 mandated crops under MSP
- NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd) — central nodal agency for procurement of coconut copra along with NCCF
- Kalpavriksha — "tree of life"; coconut's Sanskrit epithet reflecting its versatility
- Neera — unfermented juice from coconut palm inflorescence; nutritious zero-alcohol drink
- Miyawaki forest concept: dense native plantation in small area — mentioned in Raichur reference; different from coconut context but relevant to greening
- India's coconut cultivation history spans nearly 3 millennia
- Global coconut demand: expanding due to virgin coconut oil, coconut water, coconut milk becoming popular in Western markets
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. Consider the following statements about India's coconut sector:
1. India ranks first globally in coconut production and third in cultivation area.
2. Keralam has the largest area under coconut cultivation while Tamil Nadu leads in total production.
3. Coconut Development Board is headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
4. The Coconut Promotion Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong — the Coconut Development Board (established 12 January 1981 under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare) is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, not Chennai. Andhra Pradesh has the highest coconut productivity while Kerala has the largest cultivation area.
PIB Backgrounder – Ministry of Mines
⛏️ MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 – Stronger Push for Mining-Led Development
📝 Key Notes
- The MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 amends the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
- Aims to establish a uniform and balanced fiscal framework
- Restricts States from levying fresh taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands without Central Govt's conditions
- Key Provisions:
- New Section 9D — No State-level tax/cess/levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands without Central conditions
- Past levies — unpaid retrospective dues declared invalid; already-deposited amounts NOT refunded
- Section 13 amendment — Central Govt empowered to make rules on State levies
- Problems Addressed:
- States impose ~14 taxes on mining (royalty, auction premium, dead rent, DMF, GST, transit fee)
- Some States taxed mineral-bearing lands at rates as high as 20%
- Fragmented national mineral market with widely varying State levies
- Retrospective tax demands eroding investor confidence
- Impact on States' Revenue (protected):
- State revenue from mineral production rose 354% since 2014
- States received >₹7 lakh crore (including coal)
- ~90% of mining revenue now accrues to States
- State share in 2025-26: ~₹1,14,549 crore
- Coal — State share rose from 55.6% (2014) to 89.5% (2025-26)
- Auction premium: ₹96,000 crore from 100 auctioned mines
- Minor minerals (~50) remain entirely under State control — unaffected
- Reforms Since 2014:
- 2015 MMDR Amendment — ended discretionary allocation; introduced e-auction
- 723 major mineral blocks auctioned across 17 States (led by Rajasthan 140, MP 127, Odisha 76)
- FY 2025-26: Record 212 blocks auctioned; 36 operationalised
- National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) approved 29 January 2025 — ₹16,300 crore
- Critical mineral recycling scheme (2 Oct 2025) — ₹1,500 crore; drew 850 KTPA capacity vs 270 target
- Critical Mineral Processing Parks (CMPPs) — ₹500 crore for AP, Gujarat, Odisha, Maharashtra
- India's Global Rankings:
- 2nd in Limestone; 3rd in Zinc; 4th in Iron Ore; 5th in Bauxite
- Coal output crossed 1 billion tonnes for 2 consecutive years
- Iron ore: record 313 million tonnes in FY 2025-26
- Import bill: ₹10,12,529 crore in FY 2025-26 for minerals; Iron ore exports earned ₹15,136 crore
| Before Amendment | After Amendment |
|---|---|
| Mining taxed differently in every State | Centre-directed unified tax framework (Sec 9D) |
| New levies could be imposed even after mining started | States cannot impose new levies without Central conditions |
| Retrospective tax demands could be raised anytime | All pending retrospective dues declared invalid |
| Small/medium miners bore the maximum burden | All miners benefit from a fair, uniform framework |
Section 9D
New Restriction on State Mineral Levies
90%
Mining Revenue Share to States (2025-26)
354%
State Revenue Growth from Mining since 2014
723 Blocks
Auctioned across 17 States since 2015
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- DMF (District Mineral Foundation) — 656 DMFs; funds for local welfare in mining-affected areas
- PMKKKY (Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana) — utilises DMF funds for local development
- NMEDT (National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust) — supports mineral exploration; contribution raised to 3%
- KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Limited) — secured exclusive lithium exploration rights in Argentina
- Unified Mining Portal (UMP) — tracks entire block lifecycle from auction to operationalisation
- Odisha earned ~₹87,000 crore auction premium alone between 2020-21 and 2025-26 (from 35 operational blocks)
- The Act follows the Supreme Court's 2024 judgment (MADA case) which held States have power to tax mineral rights — Amendment overrides by imposing Central conditions
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. Which of the following statements about the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 is/are correct?
1. It introduces Section 9D to restrict States from imposing fresh mineral taxes without Central Government conditions.
2. It declares all pending retrospective tax demands from States as invalid.
3. It also brings minor minerals like sand and gravel under Central regulation for the first time.
4. Amounts already deposited by miners under earlier State levies must be refunded within one year.
Select the correct answer:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong — approximately 50 minor minerals (sand, gravel, granite, marble etc.) remain entirely under State control and the Act has no bearing on them. Statement 4 is also wrong — amounts already deposited or recovered before the amendment shall NOT be refunded. Only unpaid past retrospective dues are declared invalid.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
🏅 National Sports Awards 2025 – Arjuna, Dronacharya & Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
📝 Key Notes
- Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced National Sports Awards 2025 on 18 August 2026
- Selection Committee chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, former Judge of Supreme Court
- Arjuna Awards 2025 — for outstanding performance over 4 years + leadership, sportsmanship, discipline
- 17 awardees across disciplines
- Notable: Tejaswin Shankar (Athletics), Priyanka Goswami (Athletics), Vidit Santosh Gujarathi (Chess), Divya Deshmukh (Chess)
- Also: Treesa Jolly (Badminton), Pullela Gayatri Gopichand (Badminton), Lalremsiami (Hockey), Rajkumar Pal (Hockey)
- Para-athletes: Rudransh Khandelwal (Para-shooting), Ekta Bhyan (Para athletics)
- Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025: Shri I Arumainayagam (Football)
- Dronacharya Awards 2025:
- Regular: Parveer Singh (Athletics), Chhote Lal Yadav (Boxing), Neha Nandkumar Chavan (Shooting)
- Lifetime: Dharmendra Singh Yadav (Boxing), Virender Kumar (Wrestling)
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2025: Army Paralympic Node, Pune
- For visible role in sports promotion and development
17
Arjuna Awardees 2025
3 + 2
Dronacharya Regular + Lifetime
1 Lifetime
Arjuna Lifetime – Arumainayagam (Football)
Army Paralympic Node
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2025
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- Arjuna Award — instituted in 1961; recognises outstanding performance in sports over 4 years + leadership qualities
- Dronacharya Award — instituted in 1985; for outstanding coaches; both Regular and Lifetime categories
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar — for corporate/NGO entities promoting sports
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (highest sports honour) — was earlier Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award; renamed in 2021
- Selection Committees for Sports Awards are chaired by retired Supreme Court/High Court judges
- Tejaswin Shankar — decathlon; won India's first decathlon medal at Commonwealth Games
- Divya Deshmukh — youngest Indian to become chess GM in her age category; rising women's chess star
- Para-athletes' inclusion reflects growing recognition of Paralympic performance in national sports awards
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. Which of the following is/are correctly matched regarding the National Sports Awards 2025?
1. Arjuna Award — Outstanding performance in sports over four years
2. Dronacharya Award — For outstanding coaches in sports
3. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar — Only for individual sportspersons
4. The Selection Committee for the 2025 Awards was chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra
Select the correct answer:
Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong — Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar is given to corporate entities (public/private) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have played a visible role in sports promotion and development — NOT for individual sportspersons. In 2025, it was awarded to Army Paralympic Node, Pune.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs – SBM-U 2.0
🌳 Waste to Woods – Raichur Reclaims 22 Acres with Miyawaki Transformation
📝 Key Notes
- Raichur, Karnataka transformed 35-acre Yakalaspura dumpsite into a green asset under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0)
- 62,252 metric tonnes of legacy waste scientifically processed
- ~22 acres of valuable urban land reclaimed
- Miyawaki Forest Development:
- Approx. 5-7 acres of remediated site
- Collaboration with SPMCIL (Security Printing and Minting Corporation) and New India Space Limited
- 60,000 saplings planted including bamboo and native species
- Plantation began 5 June 2026 (World Environment Day)
- Expected complete afforestation within 1 year
- Concept: "Toxic Waste to Ecological Wealth"
- Site inaugurated by Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on World Environment Day (5 June 2026)
- Benefits: soil restoration, carbon sequestration, biodiversity, air quality
22 Acres
Urban Land Reclaimed
62,252 MT
Legacy Waste Processed
60,000
Saplings Planted in Miyawaki Forest
5 June 2026
World Environment Day Inauguration
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- Miyawaki technique — developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki; creates dense native forests in small spaces; grows 10x faster than conventional forests
- SBM-U 2.0 — Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0; focuses on garbage-free cities, safe sanitation, legacy waste remediation
- SPMCIL — Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Limited; under Ministry of Finance; prints currency, security papers
- Legacy waste remediation — scientific processing of old accumulated waste using bio-mining, bio-remediation techniques
- World Environment Day — observed globally on 5 June; UN initiative
- Miyawaki forests in India: growing use for urban afforestation; adopted by many cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. The Miyawaki forestation technique, used in the transformation of the Yakalaspura dumpsite in Raichur, was developed by:
The Miyawaki technique was developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki. It uses native species planted densely to create rapidly-growing, self-sustaining forests in small areas — 10 times faster than conventional plantations. Raichur City Corporation used this technique to convert the 22-acre reclaimed dumpsite land into a green urban asset.
Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
🌿 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting – Joint Statement Adopted
📝 Key Notes
- India hosted the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting under BRICS Chairship 2026
- Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav presided
- BRICS reframed as "Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability"
- Meeting concluded with consensual adoption of Joint Ministerial Statement (JMS)
- Comprises 4 Outcome Documents:
- (i) ToR — Network of BRICS Institutions for Sustainable Lifestyles
- (ii) BRICS Principles for Integrated Landscape Management
- (iii) Common Understanding for Forest Fire Preparedness and Response
- (iv) BRICS Principles for Climate Resilience via People-centric Adaptation
- Also launched 4 Knowledge Compendiums
- Key initiatives cited: Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam — combining ecological restoration with public participation
- India's new NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) for 2031-2035 highlighted
- 4 priority areas emphasised: Sustainable Lifestyles, Afforestation/Forest Fire/Disaster Resilience, Circular Economy, Adaptation
- Panel discussions and side events on people-centric adaptation and integrated landscape-based greening
- MoEFCC set up an interactive Mission LiFE Pavilion at the venue
12th Meeting
BRICS Environment Ministers
4 Outcomes
Joint Ministerial Statement Documents
4 Compendiums
Knowledge Compendiums Launched
2031-35 NDC
India's New Nationally Determined Contribution
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) — climate commitments under Paris Agreement (2015); India's initial NDC targeted 2021-2030; new NDC covers 2031-2035
- Mission LiFE — Lifestyle for Environment; launched by PM Modi at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021)
- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam — "Plant a tree in mother's name"; launched 2024 by PM Modi
- Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) — holistic approach considering agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water together
- People-centric adaptation — climate adaptation approach centring local communities and traditional knowledge
- BRICS expanded in 2024 to include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran
- India's flagship afforestation programmes: MISHTI (mangroves), Nagar Van Yojana, Green India Mission
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting held in August 2026 adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement. How many Outcome Documents does the JMS comprise?
The Joint Ministerial Statement (JMS) adopted at the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting comprises four Outcome Documents: (i) ToR for BRICS Institutions Network on Sustainable Lifestyles, (ii) BRICS Principles for Integrated Landscape Management, (iii) Common Understanding for Forest Fire Preparedness, and (iv) BRICS Principles for Climate Resilience via People-centric Adaptation. Four Knowledge Compendiums were also launched.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
🇪🇺 Department of Commerce Organises EU CBAM Awareness Session
📝 Key Notes
- Department of Commerce organised Awareness Session on EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for exporters
- Venue: Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
- Collaboration with NABCB (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies) and EEPC (Engineering Export Promotion Council)
- ~100 participants from industry and exporters
- Topics covered:
- EU CBAM framework and applicability
- Covered products and obligations for exporters
- Calculation of embedded emissions
- Data collection and reporting requirements
- Accreditation and verification mechanisms
- Case studies for iron & steel and aluminium sectors
- Addressed by:
- Shri Amit Verma, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce
- Shri N. Venkateswaran, CEO, NABCB
- Shri Pankaj Chadha, Chairman, EEPC
- Emphasises timely awareness and preparedness for sustainability-related trade regulations
EU CBAM
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
Vanijya Bhawan
Session Venue in New Delhi
NABCB + EEPC
Partner Organisations
Iron & Steel + Al
Key Sector Case Studies
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- EU CBAM — Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism; imposes carbon costs on imports of carbon-intensive products into the EU; from January 2026 full implementation
- CBAM covers: iron and steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen — carbon-intensive sectors
- Transition phase: October 2023 – December 2025 (reporting only); Full implementation with financial payment: from January 2026
- Embedded emissions = greenhouse gases emitted during production of goods; must be calculated and reported
- India's stance: CBAM contradicts principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) under UNFCCC; may act as trade barrier
- NABCB — accreditation body for certification bodies in India; ensures credibility of certifications; part of Quality Council of India
- EEPC (Engineering Export Promotion Council) — apex body for promoting engineering exports; under Ministry of Commerce
- Similar mechanisms under discussion: US Clean Competition Act, UK CBAM
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), for which the Department of Commerce recently organised an awareness session, primarily aims to:
The EU CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) imposes a carbon cost on imports of carbon-intensive goods entering the EU market. It covers sectors like iron and steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. This is to prevent "carbon leakage" and level the playing field between EU producers (already paying carbon costs under EU ETS) and importers. India considers CBAM a potential trade barrier that contradicts the CBDR principle under UNFCCC.
Ministry of Culture
🎵 Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 Concludes – 150 Years of Vande Mataram
📝 Key Notes
- Ministry of Culture concluded Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 with a Tiranga Concert at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Featured renowned singer B Praak
- Concert dedicated to 150 Years of Vande Mataram
- Union Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat addressed the gathering
- Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign: 9-17 August
- Activities: Tiranga Yatras, cultural programmes, exhibitions, community events
- Now a nationwide people's movement over 5 years
- Selfie with Tiranga:
- 8.27 crore selfies uploaded on Har Ghar Tiranga portal
- Surpassed last year's record of 7.5 crore
- Concert attendance: 1,000+ school students + 7,000+ registered attendees
- B Praak performed his popular patriotic rendition of "Teri Mitti"
- Opening performance by young singer Manya Tripathi
8.27 Crore
Selfies with Tiranga (2026)
150 Years
Vande Mataram Commemoration
9-17 Aug
Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 Campaign Period
7,000+ Attendees
Bharat Mandapam Concert
📌 Prelims Extra Points
- Vande Mataram — composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876; first two verses adopted as India's National Song in 1950 (with same status as National Anthem)
- Vande Mataram was first sung publicly at the Indian National Congress session at Calcutta in 1896
- 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram in 2026 (1876 + 150 = 2026)
- Har Ghar Tiranga — launched in 2022; part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
- Bharat Mandapam — Pragati Maidan, New Delhi; venue for G20 Summit 2023
- "Teri Mitti" — patriotic song from 2019 Hindi film "Kesari" about the Battle of Saragarhi; sung by B Praak
- Selfie with Tiranga participation up ~10% from 2025
❓ Practice MCQ
Q. The 'Vande Mataram', India's National Song, was composed in 1876 by whom, and in which year was it first sung publicly at the Indian National Congress session?
Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876 as part of his novel Anandamath. It was first sung publicly at the Indian National Congress session at Calcutta in 1896. Its first two verses were adopted as India's National Song in 1950. The 150th anniversary of the song was commemorated in 2026 alongside the Har Ghar Tiranga celebrations.
PIB Notes UPSC – 18 August 2026: These comprehensive PIB (Press Information Bureau) notes for 18 August 2026 cover key UPSC-relevant topics including India's expanding FTA export landscape with record merchandise exports of US$ 441.8 billion in FY 2025-26, early gains from India-UAE CEPA (crossed US$100 billion bilateral trade) and India-Australia ECTA (100% duty-free access from 2026), the coconut sector's global prominence with India ranking first in production and the newly announced Coconut Promotion Scheme under Union Budget 2026-27, the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 introducing Section 9D to restrict State-level mineral levies and creating a uniform national fiscal framework, the National Sports Awards 2025 with 17 Arjuna Award recipients including Tejaswin Shankar and Divya Deshmukh, Raichur's inspiring transformation of 22 acres of dumpsite into a Miyawaki forest under SBM-U 2.0, the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting that adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement with four Outcome Documents under India's Chairship, the EU CBAM Awareness Session preparing Indian exporters for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and the successful conclusion of Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram with a record 8.27 crore Selfies with Tiranga. Includes interactive MCQs, Prelims-relevant facts and detailed explanations for UPSC CSE, SSC, State PSC and other competitive exam preparation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are India's key achievements under recent Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)?
India's recent FTAs have delivered significant early gains. The India-UAE CEPA (in force from 1 May 2022) helped bilateral trade cross US$100 billion in FY 2024-25 with a new target of US$200 billion by 2032. The India-Australia ECTA (in force from 29 December 2022) provides duty-free access to 100% of Australian tariff lines from 2026, and India's exports to Australia grew from US$4 billion (FY 2020-21) to US$7.28 billion (FY 2025-26). Newer agreements include the India-EFTA TEPA, India-Oman CEPA and India-UK CETA (99% Indian exports duty-free). Around 10 more FTAs are under negotiation with countries including Peru, Chile, Israel, Canada and Maldives.
Q2. What is the Coconut Promotion Scheme announced in Union Budget 2026-27?
The Coconut Promotion Scheme was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 as part of a broader ₹350 crore allocation for high-value agriculture (also covering cashew and cocoa). It aims to address pest outbreaks, root wilt disease and aging plantations through: (1) large-scale quality seedling production, (2) expansion of cultivation in potential areas, (3) phased replanting and rejuvenation, (4) holistic crop health management, and (5) integrated processing units for value addition and exports. India ranks first globally in coconut production. The scheme aims to position India as a global leader in coconut and coir exports by the 2030s and enhance farmer incomes.
Q3. What are the key provisions of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026?
The MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 introduces three major changes: (1) New Section 9D — restricts State Governments from imposing any new tax, cess or levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands without conditions prescribed by the Central Government; (2) Past levies — all unpaid retrospective dues from States are declared invalid, though amounts already deposited will not be refunded; (3) Amended Section 13 — empowers the Central Government to make rules on State levies. Minor minerals (around 50) remain entirely under State control. The Act aims to create a uniform national mineral market, reduce cascading tax effects, and protect against retrospective tax demands while ensuring States continue to receive around 90% of mining revenue.
Q4. Who are the notable recipients of the National Sports Awards 2025?
The National Sports Awards 2025 announced on 18 August 2026 include: 17 Arjuna Awards — notably Tejaswin Shankar (Athletics, decathlon), Priyanka Goswami (Athletics), Vidit Santosh Gujarathi and Divya Deshmukh (Chess), Treesa Jolly and Pullela Gayatri Gopichand (Badminton), Rudransh Khandelwal (Para-shooting), Ekta Bhyan (Para athletics), and others. Arjuna Lifetime Award went to Shri I Arumainayagam (Football). Dronacharya Awards (Regular): Parveer Singh, Chhote Lal Yadav, Neha Chavan. Dronacharya Lifetime: Dharmendra Singh Yadav, Virender Kumar. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar 2025: Army Paralympic Node, Pune. The Selection Committee was chaired by Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra.
Q5. What is the EU CBAM and why is it important for Indian exporters?
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) imposes a carbon cost on imports of carbon-intensive goods entering the European Union. It covers sectors including iron and steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. The transition phase ran from October 2023 to December 2025, with full financial implementation starting January 2026. Indian exporters in these sectors must calculate and report embedded emissions in their products and may face additional costs equivalent to EU carbon prices. India considers CBAM a potential trade barrier that contradicts the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) under UNFCCC. The Department of Commerce is running awareness sessions with NABCB and EEPC to help Indian industry prepare for compliance.
Q6. What is the significance of 150 years of Vande Mataram commemoration?
The year 2026 marks 150 years of Vande Mataram — composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876 as part of his novel Anandamath. It was first sung publicly at the Indian National Congress session at Calcutta in 1896, becoming a rallying call during the freedom movement. Its first two verses were adopted as India's National Song in 1950 — with equal status to the National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana". The Ministry of Culture dedicated the Har Ghar Tiranga 2026 campaign to this milestone, culminating in the Tiranga Concert at Bharat Mandapam featuring singer B Praak. The campaign generated a record 8.27 crore Selfies with Tiranga uploaded, up from 7.5 crore last year.
📚 Hindu Editorial Analysis Today
🎥 UPSC & TNPSC Video - Pdf Resources
🚀 Join Our Exam Preparation Community
Stay ahead in your preparation with daily exam-focused content, curated for UPSC, TNPSC, SSC and other competitive exams.
📲 Telegram Community
👉 5,000+ active aspirants
👉 50+ MCQs reflected in recent exams (2024 & 2025)
👉 Daily quizzes, PYQs & revision content
👉 Positive feedback from prelims-cleared candidates
▶️ YouTube Channel
👉 Daily Current Affairs videos
👉 Based on The Hindu, PIB, Government sources
👉 PYQ-focused explanation (UPSC, TNPSC)
👉 Short, exam-oriented analysis
📸 Instagram Updates
👉 Daily quick revision posts
👉 Exam facts & current affairs snippets
💼 LinkedIn
👉 Professional updates & exam insights
+Trusted by thousands of aspirants preparing for competitive exams