UPSC Daily Current Affairs 15 April 2026: Important Updates for Prelims 2026 Exam

Current affairs are the backbone of UPSC preparation, especially for the Prelims examination. Questions in UPSC are increasingly analytical and require not just factual knowledge but also an understanding of ongoing developments and their connection with static subjects.

Daily current affairs, like constitutional amendments, international organizations, government initiatives, defence exercises, and scientific developments, directly contribute to building this understanding. Covering topics such as Lok Sabha seat changes, ECOSOC, and initiatives like Womaniya or SARAL AI helps aspirants strengthen subjects like Polity, Economy, IR, and Science & Tech.

Regular revision of such current affairs ensures better retention and improves accuracy in Prelims, making it easier to eliminate wrong options and select the correct answer.

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Proposed Changes to Lok Sabha Seats

The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is currently 550. The government has introduced a Constitutional Amendment Bill (131st Amendment Bill), alongside a Delimitation Bill, proposing to increase the number of seats. If passed, the Lok Sabha could expand to 850 seats.

Basis for Seat Allocation and Proposed Changes

The number of Lok Sabha seats per state is currently determined by the 1971 Census, while delimitation within each state relies on the 2001 Census. The proposed increase is primarily due to population growth over time. This change will have a differential impact across states:

• Northern States (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar): Expected to see a substantial increase. For instance, Uttar Pradesh’s 80 seats could increase by over 50, potentially reaching 130-138 seats. This would boost its share of MPs from approximately 14% to over 16%.
• Southern States (e.g., Kerala, Tamil Nadu): Anticipated to experience a minimal increase (e.g., 2-3 seats for Kerala). This will result in a disadvantage in percentage terms. Kerala’s share of MPs, currently 3.7%, could decrease to 2.7% post-implementation.

Arguments for and Against the Bill

• Government’s Stance: The government asserts the bill is crucial for the early implementation of the Women Reservation Bill, aiming for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
• Opposition’s Stance: Opposition leaders argue that the seat increase disproportionately benefits states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. States that effectively controlled their population (predominantly Southern states) are perceived to be penalized with a reduced percentage share. This also raises concerns where the ruling party has less political strength. The issue highlights a historical policy objective of population control from the 1970s, which Southern states successfully implemented, now facing a perceived drawback.

India at ECOSOC

The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), alongside the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council.

• Mandate: ECOSOC coordinates the economic, social, and environmental policies of the UN.
• Establishment: It was established in 1945 under the UN Charter.
• Headquarters: Its headquarters are in New York, with most sessions held in Geneva.
• Membership: It comprises 54 members, elected by the UN General Assembly for a 3-year term, unlike the UN General Assembly where all member countries participate.
• Structure and Functions: ECOSOC oversees various bodies, including Regional Commissions and Expert Bodies, and coordinates with UN agencies and NGOs to promote economic, social, and cultural rights.

India’s Recent Role

India was recently ununopposed elected to four ECOSOC functional bodies, indicating strong international support. These bodies are:

1. Commission on Science and Technology for Development
2. Commission on Non-Governmental Organizations
3. Commission for Program and Coordination
4. Commission on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
   This election empowers India to significantly contribute to the global development agenda and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

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Womaniya Initiative

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Platform is an online procurement platform used by government ministries and departments for purchasing goods and services. Its purpose is to ensure transparency and prevent corruption in government procurement by making all transactions publicly accessible. Similar to consumer e-commerce platforms, GeM allows various entities, including Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to offer products and services to the government.

The Womaniya Initiative

• Launch: Launched in 2019.
• Objective: To specifically promote women-led MSMEs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on the GeM platform.
• Benefits: It provides market access for women entrepreneurs and their products, integrating women-led businesses with government procurement processes.
• Success Metrics: Over 200,000 women-led micro and small enterprises are registered, securing 1.3 million order volumes and contracts worth ₹28,000 crore.
• Oversight: The initiative is managed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through the GeM portal.
• Beneficiaries: It supports women heading MSMEs, women SHGs, women-led startups, small producers, women entrepreneurs from SC/ST communities, rural women, and women from Economically Weaker Sections.
• Streamlined Process: Offers easy registration on the Udyam Portal and an end-to-end e-procurement process, including bidding, ordering, and invoicing, all conducted online for transparency. The initiative also enhances visibility and provides training for capacity building, fostering women’s entrepreneurship.

Exercise Dustlik

Exercise Dustlik is an annual joint military exercise involving India and Uzbekistan.

• Frequency and Location: It alternates between the two countries each year, with the 7th edition currently being held in Uzbekistan.
• Objective: The exercise aims to enhance cooperation, share best practices, and improve joint operational capabilities between the armed forces of both nations.
• Participation: This year, 60 personnel from India (45 from the Indian Army, 15 from the Indian Air Force) and approximately 60 personnel from Uzbekistan’s Army and Air Force are participating.

SARAL AI

‘Anusandhan’ means Research and Development (R&D). The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was created by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act 2023 and functions under the Department of Science & Technology. Its mandate is to promote scientific research and innovation in India, focusing on national priorities and strengthening the R&D ecosystem in universities and colleges.

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SARAL AI Initiative

SARAL AI is being developed by ANRF.

• Purpose: To make complex research findings accessible to the general public and researchers in easy-to-understand formats.
• Key Feature: It will generate content in 18 Indian languages.
• Content Types: It aims to produce various outputs for research dissemination, including podcasts, short videos, posters, presentations, and business briefs.
• Goal: To ensure that research reaches a broader audience and remains relevant to everyday life.

Keytruda (Immunotherapy)

Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that enhances or modifies the body’s immune system to fight diseases, particularly cancer.

• Mechanism: It targets disease cells (e.g., cancer cells), minimizing harm to healthy cells. In some cases, it offers long-term protection by training the immune system to remember and target specific harmful cells.

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)

Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) is a widely used drug in cancer treatment.

• Current Concern: There are reports of fake medicine versions of Keytruda in the market, raising significant safety concerns.
• Role in Cancer Treatment: It is an immunotherapy drug that trains the immune system to fight cancer, often used alongside treatments like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery.
• Manufacturer: Produced by Merck & Co., a US-based pharmaceutical company.
• Mechanism of Action: Checkpoint Inhibitor: Keytruda belongs to a class of drugs called checkpoint inhibitors. Cancer cells can evade the immune system’s T-cells by activating “checkpoints” that inhibit T-cell activity. Keytruda works by removing these inhibitory “roadblocks” or “checkpoints,” allowing the body’s T-cells to effectively attack cancer cells. It binds to specific targets on cancer cells, helping the immune system identify and destroy them.
• Availability and Cost: Keytruda is an expensive drug, costing around ₹10 lakhs for treatment. It is often made available through the manufacturer’s Patient Access Program or via insurance.

Ease of Doing Research & Development in India

NITI Aayog has released two reports: “Ease of Doing Research & Development in India” and a “Survey Report on Ease of Doing R&D in India.” Their objective is to improve India’s R&D ecosystem and provide recommendations for addressing challenges.

Key Data and Context:

• R&D Spending: India’s R&D expenditure is approximately 0.64% of GDP, significantly lower than the 2-3% or more observed in other countries.
• Global Innovation Index (WIPO): India has improved its ranking from 81 in 2015 to 38 in 2025.
• Government Initiatives:
  • ANRF (Anusandhan National Research Foundation): Established with a budget of ₹14,000 crore to promote scientific research.
  • RDI Fund (Research Development & Innovation Fund): A ₹1 lakh crore fund under the RDI Scheme, supporting high-risk, deep technology research with long gestation periods. The Department of Science & Technology is the nodal agency, and ANRF oversees its implementation.
  • Other initiatives include the National Quantum Mission, Semiconductor Mission, Supercomputing Mission, NIDHI, BIRAC, iDEX, Geospatial Policy, Space Policy, and Biotechnology for Economy.

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Challenges in India’s R&D Ecosystem (NITI Aayog)

1. Fragmented Funding: R&D funding is dispersed across many agencies, causing duplication of efforts and inefficiency.
2. Researcher Burden: Researchers spend excessive time on compliances and administrative requirements, akin to red tape-ism, diverting focus from research.
3. Rigid Norms: Existing norms for innovation are often rigid.
4. Poor Academia-Industry Collaboration: A weak link exists between academic research and industry needs.
5. Over-reliance on Public Funding: India’s R&D heavily depends on the public sector (approximately 60% contribution), with a very low role for the private sector (approximately 35-36%), unlike other countries where private sector contribution exceeds 70%.
6. Lack of Application: Research outcomes often do not translate into practical applications.

NITI Aayog’s Recommendations

1. Coordinated Approach: Foster collaboration among R&D stakeholders to reduce fragmentation and funding delays.
2. Rationalize Funding: Streamline funding processes.
3. Outcome-Based and Flexible Financial Rules: Implement rules prioritizing research outcomes and offering flexibility, especially for deep-tech startups requiring adaptive funding.
4. Reduce Administrative Hurdles: Introduce a single-window, transparent regulatory system to minimize regulatory burdens.
5. Promote Private Sector Involvement: Encourage Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding, implement Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models, and incentivize industry investment in R&D.

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