Prelims Current Affairs includes Rbi’s ₹10 And ₹20 Polymer Notes, India Mobile Congress 2026, Daanveer Gram Panchayat Digital Infrastructure, Kalpasar Project, Global Tiger Day 2026 Report, First Telecom Manufacturing Zone In Gwalior , Indian Navy Launches Asw Shallow Water Craft ‘Machilipatnam’  & Issf World Cup 2026: India Finishes With Four Medals

ECONOMY

1. RBI’S ₹10 AND ₹20 POLYMER NOTES

Current Context: The Union Government has approved the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) proposal to conduct field trials of polymer banknotes in ₹10 and ₹20 denominations.

ABOUT POLYMER NOTES

• The pilot aims to assess the durability, security, and public acceptance of polymer notes before any decision on large-scale introduction.
• Currency Manufacturing Subsidiary:Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL)
• Polymer banknotes are made from biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), a durable plastic substrate, instead of traditional cotton-based paper.
• First introduced by Australia in 1988.
• Now used by several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam.

POWER OF ISSUING CURRENCY NOTES IN INDIA

• The power to issue currency in India is governed by the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• Section 22 of the RBI Act grants the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) the sole right to issue banknotes in India. This is known as the Monopoly of Note Issue.
• ₹1 note is issued by the Government of India under the Coinage Act, 2011 and the Currency Act, 2011.
• The Finance Secretary signs the ₹1 note.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

2. INDIA MOBILE CONGRESS 2026

Current Context: The 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 was officially announced by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

ABOUT IMC 2026

• The event will be held from 7-10 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi.
• Showcase India’s telecom and digital innovation ecosystem.
• Accelerate deployment of 5G and 6G, AI, IoT, Satellite Communications, Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, Quantum Technologies, Green Technologies.
• Theme:“Scale without Boundaries”
• Organisers:Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)

SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES

3. DAANVEER GRAM PANCHAYAT DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Current Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched DAANVEER, a citizen participation initiative to strengthen the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats across India.

ABOUT DAANVEER

• The programme enables citizens and organisations to voluntarily donate computers through the Meri Panchayat App to bridge the digital divide at the grassroots.
• Objective: Improve the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats through voluntary public contributions.
• Target:Nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats
• Technical Integration:Meri Panchayat app with DigiHaat marketplace

INFRASTRUCTURE

4.  KALPASAR PROJECT

Current Context: The Central Government informed the Rajya Sabha that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Kalpasar Project is at an advanced stage.

ABOUT KALPASAR PROJECT

• The project is envisaged as one of India’s largest multi-purpose freshwater reservoir and infrastructure projects in Gujarat.
• Full Form: Kalpasar – Khambhat Large-scale Fresh Water Storage Project.
• Location: Across the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay).

Rivers Feeding Reservoir:

• Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar, Narmada
• International Cooperation:
• Netherlands providing technical expertise (coastal engineering, water resource management)

ABOUT THE GULF OF KHAMBHAT

• Located on the western coast of Gujarat.
• Opens into the Arabian Sea.
• Known for one of the highest tidal ranges in India.
• Receives discharge from major west-flowing rivers including the Narmada, Tapi, Mahi, Sabarmati, and Dhadhar. Possesses significant tidal energy potential.

ENVIRONMENT

5. GLOBAL TIGER DAY 2026 REPORT

Current Context: India’s tiger population rises to 3,682, Tiger Reserves increase to 58.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2026 REPORT

• India continues to host over 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
• Expansion of protected areas and improved habitat management have contributed to the increase.
• Strengthened anti-poaching measures and community participation have improved conservation outcomes.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

• Established: 2005.
• Statutory Basis: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended in 2006).
• Functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Threats to Tigers:
• Poaching, illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, climate change
• Wild tigers occupy less than 8% of historical range
• Extinct subspecies: Bali Tiger, Javan Tiger, Caspian Tiger

ECONOMY

6. FIRST TELECOM MANUFACTURING ZONE IN GWALIOR

Current Context: DoT and Government of Madhya Pradesh signed MoU for Phase I of India’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone in Gwalior.

ABOUT TELECOM MANUFACTURING ZONE

• The initiative aims to strengthen indigenous telecom manufacturing and position India as a global telecom equipment production hub.
• Objective: Develop an integrated ecosystem for manufacturing telecom equipment and related technologies.
• Direct Jobs:~5,000
• Key Features:
• Plug-and-play system (ready infrastructure)
• Manufacturing ecosystem for telecom equipment, data centres, chip manufacturers
• Linked to Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision

DEFENCE

7. INDIAN NAVY LAUNCHES ASW SHALLOW WATER CRAFT ‘MACHILIPATNAM’

Current Context: The Indian Navy launched Machilipatnam, the seventh of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC).

ABOUT MACHILIPATNAM

• The vessel is part of India’s indigenous naval modernization programme to strengthen coastal anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
• Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi
• Named After: Machilipatnam, a historic port city in Andhra Pradesh.
• Indigenous Content:More than 80%
• Key Capabilities:
• Underwater Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Warfare
• Enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness

SPORTS

8. ISSF WORLD CUP 2026: INDIA FINISHES WITH FOUR MEDALS

Current Context: India concluded its campaign at the ISSF World Cup 2026 with four medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze), showcasing strong performances in rifle and pistol events and reaffirming its status as one of the world’s leading shooting nations.

• The ISSF World Cup 2026 was organized in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China.

Medal Winners:

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