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31 October 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

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Inter-State Council: Strengthening Cooperative Federalism in India

Why in News?

A Lok Sabha member called for the revival of the Inter-State Council (ISC) to provide States with a consultative platform on issues such as delimitation and other major national policies, thereby strengthening cooperative federalism.

About the Inter-State Council (ISC)

Nature: A recommendatory constitutional body established to facilitate coordination between the Union and State governments.
Constitutional Basis: Article 263 of the Indian Constitution.
Establishment: Constituted through a Presidential Order in 1990, following the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission.

Article 263 of the Constitution

Article 263 empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council when it appears that public interest would be served by its creation.

1. The Council may be assigned the following functions:

Dispute Inquiry: Investigating and advising upon disputes between States.
Common Subjects: Examining and discussing matters of common interest between the Union and States or among States.
Policy Coordination: Making recommendations for better coordination of policy and action.

2. Mandate under the 1990 Presidential Order:

The ISC was assigned functions under Article 263(b) and (c), relating to discussion of common interests and recommendations for policy coordination.
It was not assigned the dispute-inquiry function under Article 263(a).

3. Composition

Chairperson: Prime Minister of India.
Chief Ministers of all States.
Chief Ministers of Union Territories having legislative assemblies.
Administrators of Union Territories without legislative assemblies.
Six Union Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.

4. Standing Committee:

Established in 1996.
Chaired by the Union Home Minister.
Undertakes continuous consultations and prepares matters for consideration by the full Council.

5. Meetings and Decision-Making

The Council is required to meet at least three times a year.
Its meetings are held in camera.
Decisions are taken through consensus.

6. Secretariat

The Inter-State Council Secretariat was established in 1991 under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Since 2011, it has also served the Zonal Councils.

7. Zonal Councils

Five statutory advisory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Their primary objective is to promote inter-State cooperation and coordination within their respective geographical zones.
They are chaired by the Union Home Minister.

Why Does the Inter-State Council Remain Underutilised?

1. Irregular Meetings

Despite recommendations by the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions, the ISC has reportedly met only 11 times since 1990.
Its last meeting was held in July 2016, despite its reconstitution in 2022 and 2024.

2. Executive Subordination

The placement of the ISC Secretariat under the Ministry of Home Affairs may make the Council's agenda dependent on the Union government's administrative and political priorities.

3. Advisory Nature

Its recommendations are non-binding, limiting its influence over decisions concerning State rights, revenue distribution and constitutional issues.

4. Fragmentation of Consultative Forums

Sector-specific institutions such as the GST Council and NITI Aayog Governing Council have become important platforms for Centre–State consultations.
This has diverted some discussions away from the ISC's broader constitutional mandate.

How Can Reviving the ISC Strengthen Cooperative Federalism?

1. Institutionalised Federal Consultation

The ISC can provide States with an opportunity to express their views before major national policy decisions.
It can facilitate prior consultations on legislation concerning subjects in the Concurrent List.

2. Fiscal Coordination

Discussions on cesses, cost-sharing arrangements and fund allocation can strengthen continuous Centre–State fiscal dialogue.
Such deliberations can complement the periodic recommendations of the Finance Commission.

3. Policy Harmonisation

Joint discussions on internal security, inter-State migration and disaster management can help align national policies with State-level priorities and implementation capacities.

4. Equitable Representation

The Council can provide smaller and economically disadvantaged States with an institutional platform to participate in national policymaking, irrespective of their population or economic strength.

5. Alternative Dispute Resolution

Assigning the ISC an appropriate role in examining inter-State disputes under Article 263(a) could facilitate negotiated settlements of resource-sharing and boundary disputes.
This may reduce dependence on prolonged judicial proceedings, including litigation under Article 131.

Oxfam’s Disaster Divide Report 2026

Why in News?

Oxfam released its report titled “Disaster Divide: How Climate Chaos Deepens Inequality and Enriches the Few”, highlighting how unequal carbon emissions and climate vulnerability reinforce global economic and social inequalities.

Key Findings of the Report

1. Unequal Carbon Emissions

The world's richest 0.1% (approximately 8 million people) emit more carbon than the poorest 44% of the global population (around 3.5 billion people) combined.

2. Disproportionate Climate Responsibility

An individual belonging to the richest 0.1% is responsible for approximately 125 times more emissions-linked extreme heat impacts than the average person.
This impact is nearly 400 times higher than that attributable to an individual in the poorest half of the global population.

3. Climate-Related Mortality

Annual emissions of the richest 0.1% are projected to contribute to approximately 1.9 million additional heat-related deaths over time.

4. Climate-Induced Displacement

Climate change could displace as many as 1 billion people by 2050.
The Global South is expected to bear a disproportionate share of this displacement burden.

5. Food Insecurity

Approximately 2.3 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2024.
Climate-related shocks are further threatening agricultural production and food affordability.

How Does Climate Change Deepen Inequality?

1. Unequal Impact of Disasters

Economically weaker communities often face greater exposure and vulnerability to floods, droughts and extreme heat.
Flood-related deaths are reportedly seven times higher in countries experiencing greater inequality.

2. Loss of Livelihoods

Climate disasters disproportionately affect communities dependent on agriculture, fisheries and other natural resources.
Damage to livelihoods increases poverty and economic insecurity.

3. Climate-Induced Food Price Inflation

Disruptions to agricultural production caused by climate events can increase food prices.
Low-income households are particularly vulnerable because they spend a larger proportion of their income on food.

4. Climate-Induced Displacement

Extreme weather events and environmental degradation force vulnerable populations to migrate.
Displacement increases social and economic insecurity and can weaken access to essential services.

5. Intergenerational Inequality

Repeated climate disasters disrupt access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
These disruptions can perpetuate poverty and disadvantage across generations.

How Do the Wealthiest Contribute to Climate Inequality?

1. Carbon-Intensive Lifestyles

High-income individuals generate disproportionately high emissions through luxury consumption, frequent air travel and energy-intensive lifestyles.

2. Investment-Linked Emissions

Wealthy individuals may contribute indirectly to greenhouse gas emissions through investments and ownership in carbon-intensive industries.

3. Private Aviation

According to Oxfam, private jets collectively emit more CO₂ in just two seconds than an individual belonging to the poorest half of the global population emits in an entire year.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Why in News?

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Bharat Bovine Breeding and Research Centre (BBBRC) at Bhildi in Banaskantha district, Gujarat.

Establishment: The centre has been set up by Banas Dairy with technical guidance from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and support under the Centre's Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Objective: To produce approximately 25,000 high-quality embryos annually to enhance the genetic potential of livestock.

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)

A statutory body and an Institution of National Importance.
Established to promote, finance and support dairy cooperatives and rural development.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

1. About the Mission

A flagship Central Government initiative aimed at the conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds and enhancement of milk productivity through scientific breeding practices.
Launch: Introduced in December 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development.

2. Key Objectives

Conserve and develop indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds.
Improve their genetic quality through scientific breeding interventions.
Enhance milk productivity and strengthen the livestock sector.

3. Nodal Ministry

Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, through the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

4. Implementation Mechanism

State Livestock Development Boards.
State Animal Husbandry Departments.
Other designated implementing agencies.

5. Funding Pattern

It is a Central Sector Scheme, with funding provided entirely by the Central Government.

Tripura Ranks Fifth Among India’s Tea-Producing States

Why in News?

Tripura has secured the fifth position among India's tea-producing states and ranks second in the Northeast.

Tea Production in India

Total Production: India's tea production stood at 1,369.98 million kg in 2025.
State-wise Contribution (2025): Assam (50.20%), West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tripura.
India is the largest producer and consumer of black tea globally.
It is the second-largest tea producer in the world overall.
In 2024, India was the third-largest tea exporter globally.

Geographical Conditions Required for Tea Cultivation

Plant Type: Tea is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 30 feet if left unpruned.
Climate: Adapted to subtropical climatic conditions.
Temperature: 20–27°C.
Soil: Well-drained soil with a high organic matter content.
Soil pH: 4.5–5.5 (acidic soil).
Elevation: Generally cultivated at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 metres.

Tea Board of India

Nature: Statutory authority.
Established: 1 April 1954.
Legislation: Tea Act, 1953.
Headquarters: Kolkata, West Bengal.
Administrative Control: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

One – Liners

World Stroke Day: Observed annually on 29 October to promote awareness about stroke, its warning signs and the importance of timely medical intervention.
- 2026 Theme: “Every M1nute Counts” / #ActFAST.
Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS): Three ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron—INS Tir, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi—conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Sri Lankan Navy ships following an official visit to Colombo.
- 1TS: The Indian Navy’s afloat training squadron, based at Kochi under the Southern Naval Command.
- INS Tir: A naval training ship.
- INS Sujata: A Sukanya-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).
- ICGS Sarathi: A Samarth-class Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV).

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