Daily edition · Saturday

UPSC Current Affairs, 17 October 2026

7 stories from the news of the day, each in short with why it matters for Prelims and Mains. Practise their UPSC-style questions and take the daily quiz in CAShorts.

NationalGS3GS2

FSSAI proposes maximum residue limits for two neonicotinoids in tea

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 20 mg/kg for acetamiprid and 50 mg/kg for imidacloprid in tea. The draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026 appeared in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026. Objections and suggestions are invited for 60 days.
Read the story
PolityGS2Prelims

Supreme Court: internet access a fundamental right, children included

The Supreme Court, in an order dated 15 October 2026, held that the right to access and use the internet is a fundamental right of every individual, children included, under Article 21 read with Article 19(1)(a). It called blanket age-based bans disproportionate and directed the Union to create a national database for removing child sexual abuse material.
Read the story
NationalPrelimsGS2

FSSAI draft would bar added sucrose and fructose in infant foods

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed barring the addition of sucrose and fructose to food products meant for infants up to six months old. The draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026 were published in the Gazette of India on 16 October and are open for comments for 60 days.
Read the story
World & IRPrelimsGS3

US President waives Graham Act tariffs on Russian oil buyers

US President Donald Trump on 16 October 2026 signed an executive order that sets the duties of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 and waives them at once, certifying to Congress that the waiver serves US interests. The Act provides for 100% duties on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India.
Read the story
World & IRPrelimsGS2

Jaishankar and Rubio to review India-US partnership in Mumbai on 20 October

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai on 20 October 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs said on 16 October. They are to review the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, with energy, trade, defence and critical technologies on the agenda. Over 200 business leaders are to accompany Rubio.
Read the story
Sci-TechPrelimsGS3

CGPM ends leap seconds in UTC from 20 May 2027

The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), meeting in Versailles, decided on 15 October 2026 that Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) will run without leap seconds from 20 May 2027. The gap between UTC and Earth-rotation time, UT1, may now grow to 3,600 seconds. A second resolution recommended that a lunar time scale be measured against UTC.
Read the story
PolityGS2Prelims

President's Article 240 regulation recasts Ladakh hill councils for seven districts

The President has made the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026 under Article 240, published in the Gazette on 16 October 2026. It adapts the 1997 Act to the Union territory of Ladakh, with a council for each of its seven districts and 7 to 24 elected seats apiece. It takes effect on a date the Administrator notifies.
Read the story