Daily Current Affairs 01 October 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 01 October 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Rising Sea Levels Threaten India’s Eroding Coastline

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Environment, Climate Change and Disaster Management

Why in the News?

On 24 September, the UN General Assembly adopted its first-ever declaration on rising sea levels, recognising sea-level rise as a major threat to vulnerable populations and island nations.

News in Brief

• The UN declaration urges countries to incorporate sea-level-rise projections into coastal infrastructure planning, which is particularly relevant for India due to its long coastline, islands and coastal erosion.
• The global rate of sea-level rise more than doubled from 2.1 mm/year (1993–2002) to 4.7 mm/year (2015–2024), while global sea level rose by about 6 mm in 2024.
• Global sea level could rise by around 38 cm by 2100 under a low-emissions pathway and up to about 77 cm under higher emissions.
• Around one-third of India’s mainland coastline is eroding, and an estimated 45 million Indians could be at risk from sea-level rise by 2050.

What is Sea-Level Rise?

Sea-level rise refers to the long-term increase in the average level of the world’s oceans.

Major causes

• Thermal expansion- seawater expands as ocean temperatures rise.
• Melting glaciers- warming causes glaciers to lose mass.
• Greenland and Antarctic ice-sheets loss- melting of land-based ice adds water to the oceans.
• Changes in terrestrial water storage- groundwater extraction and other human activities can transfer water to the oceans.

Sea-level rise can increase coastal flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion, displacement and damage to infrastructure.

UN Declaration on Rising Sea Levels

• The UN declaration focuses particularly on vulnerable island nations such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, Maldives.
• It recognizes that sea-level rise can threaten not only territory and livelihoods but also the continuity of states and their maritime rights.

Key Provisions

• The declaration supports a “presumption in favour of continued statehood” for countries affected by sea-level rise.
• This means that loss or submergence of territory would not automatically mean the disappearance of the affected state.
• The declaration also calls for:
  • Respect for the human rights of people affected by sea-level rise.
  • Greater international cooperation for affected populations.
  • Integration of sea-level-rise projections into coastal infrastructure planning.
  • Greater attention to vulnerable island and coastal communities.

Can a Country Retain its Statehood if its Territory is lost?

• Under the 1933 Montevideo Convention, statehood traditionally involves four elements:
  • Permanent population
  • Defined territory
  • Government
  • Capacity to enter into relations with other states
• Sea-level rise creates a new legal question: Can a state continue to exist if its territory becomes submerged or uninhabitable?
• The UN declaration supports the continued statehood of such vulnerable countries.
• It also supports maintaining their sovereignty, rights and UN membership, while protecting their maritime boundaries.

Climate Mobility

• The problem is already visible in island nations.
• For example, by December 2025, more than one-third of Tuvalu’s population had applied for climate visas to migrate to Australia under a bilateral arrangement.

Relevance of the Declaration for India

• India supported the declaration and emphasized;
  • Stable maritime zones
  • Continuity of statehood
  • Equity
  • Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)
• India has a significant stake because of its extensive coastline and offshore islands.
• According to the 2023-24 remeasurement;
  • India has 1,298 offshore islands and islets.
  • Its coastline is about 11,098 km long.
  • Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands extend
  • India’s maritime presence deep into the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
• Therefore, maintaining stable maritime boundaries is important for India’s territorial sovereignty, maritime security and blue economy.

India’s Coastal Erosion

• The National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) assessed India’s mainland shoreline between 1990 and 2016.
• Findings
  • About one-third of India’s coastline was eroding.
  • Around 234 sq km was lost to erosion.
  • Around 231 sq km was gained elsewhere through accretion.
  • Nearly 400 km of coastline was retreating by more than 5 metres per year.
  • Another 225 km was retreating by around 3–5 metres per year.
  • West Bengal had more than 170 km in the fastest erosion category.
• Thus, although erosion and accretion may appear broadly balanced at the national level, erosion is highly concentrated in vulnerable stretches.

Coastal Regulation Zone and Sea-Level Rise

• The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) framework regulates development along India’s coast.
• In densely populated rural areas, the no-build zone can extend 50 metres from the relevant high-tide line after approval of the state’s Coastal Zone Management Plan.
• In other areas, the corresponding distance can be 200 metres.
• These distances are measured from the High Tide Line (HTL).

Problem

• The HTL is based on the present coastal position.
• If a coastline is retreating rapidly, today’s setback distance may not provide adequate protection in the future.
• Example:
  • If the coast retreats by 5 metres every year:
  • A 50-metre setback could effectively be consumed in about 10 years.
  • A 200-metre setback could be consumed in about 40 years.
• This shows why coastal planning needs to account for future erosion and projected sea-level rise, rather than relying only on present-day shoreline positions.

Hazard Line

• The Survey of India has mapped a hazard line that incorporates sea-level rise, shoreline changes and coastal hazards.
• The hazard line has been shared with coastal States.
• It can support disaster management planning, land-use planning and coastal infrastructure planning.
• However, there is a need to integrate this hazard-based approach more directly into coastal development regulations.

Where Does India Fall Short?

Sundarbans

The Sundarbans illustrate the consequences of coastal erosion and displacement.

• Ghoramara Island
  • According to the India Water Portal, Ghoramara Island shrank from around 7.2 sq km in 1972 to around 2.6 sq km in 2022.
  • People who had earlier moved to Ghoramara from Lohachara Island, which disappeared in the early 2000s, faced displacement again.
  • The experience highlights problems such as:
    • Repeated displacement
    • Loss of land
    • Insecure tenure
    • Loss of livelihoods
    • Lack of adequate rehabilitation

Lack of a Comprehensive Legal Framework

• India does not have a clear legal category specifically dealing with people who gradually loss land because of coastal erosion and rising sea levels.
• Relocation therefore tends to be handled on a case-by-case basis.
• An estimated 45 million Indians could be at risk from sea-level rise by 2050, highlighting the need for a comprehensive legal framework to address climate-induced displacement and related risks.
• International example
  • Fiji incorporated relocation into its Climate Change Act, 2021, including a trust fund mechanism to support relocation.

Key Challenges for India

Environmental 

• Rising sea levels can accelerate shoreline retreat and loss of coastal land.
• Increasing sea levels raise the long-term vulnerability of low-lying coastal areas.
• Higher sea levels increase the risk of flooding during cyclones, storms and high tides.
• Seawater intrusion can contaminate groundwater and reduce agricultural productivity.
• Coastal ecosystems may shrink, reducing natural protection against floods and erosion.

Socio-economic

• Coastal communities may be forced to relocate from increasingly vulnerable areas.
• Erosion and flooding can damage houses, farmland, fisheries and other sources of income.
• Salinity and habitat loss can reduce agricultural output and affect fishery resources.
• Relocated families may face difficulties in securing land ownership and long-term housing.

Governance

• Coastal infrastructure may not sufficiently account for future sea-level rise and erosion.
• Overlapping responsibilities can make coordinated coastal planning difficult.
• India lacks a comprehensive framework specifically addressing slow-onset climate-induced displacement.
• Providing land, housing and livelihood support to displaced communities remains difficult.

Strategic

• Sea-level rise can create concerns regarding the stability of maritime zones and coastal sovereignty.
• Islands such as Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands face greater exposure to coastal hazards.
• Ports, roads and other critical infrastructure are vulnerable to erosion, flooding and storm surges.
• Damage to coastal ecosystems and infrastructure can affect India’s blue economy, maritime activities and coastal security.

The UN Declaration calls for scaled-up, timely and predictable climate finance.

• • The UN Environment Programme estimates developing countries adaptation needs at more than $320 billion annually by 2035, compared with much lower international public adaptation finance.
  • India has also argued internationally for greater and more accessible climate finance.

Way Forward and Conclusion

India should adopt a climate-resilient approach to coastal management by using sea-level projections in planning, strengthening coastal monitoring, protecting mangroves and wetlands, and creating a framework for climate-induced displacement.

Sea-level rise threatens livelihoods, infrastructure and coastal communities. Scientific planning, ecosystem protection and adequate climate finance can help India build resilient and sustainable coastal regions.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding sea-level rise and India’s coastline:

1. Thermal expansion of seawater is one of the major contributors to global sea-level rise.
2. Coastal erosion and sea-level rise can increase the displacement risk of coastal communities.
3. India’s coastal management can rely exclusively on the present High Tide Line because future shoreline changes do not affect coastal setback requirements.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1,2 and 3

Mains Practice Question

Q) Rising sea levels pose not only an environmental challenge but also a threat to coastal livelihoods, infrastructure and territorial sovereignty. Discuss the implications of sea-level rise for India and suggest measures for building climate-resilient coasts. ( 250 words)

SC/ST Act And ‘Public View’ In The Digital Age

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Polity & Governance: Social Justice

Why in the News?

The Calcutta High Court has held that casteist slurs made on social media can attract provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, observing that the requirement of “public view” can extend beyond physical spaces to the digital domain.

News in Brief

• The Calcutta High Court held that the requirement of “public view” under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the SC/ST Act can extend to the digital domain.
• The provisions deal with intentionally insulting, intimidating or abusing a member of an SC/ST community by caste name in a place within public view.
• The Court’s interpretation follows earlier judicial decisions emphasising that the offence must satisfy the specific statutory conditions of the Act.
• The Kerala High Court has also observed that laws such as the SC/ST Act must be interpreted in a manner that accommodates technological and social changes.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

• The act seeks to prevent atrocities and caste-based humiliation against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• Provides for Special Courts/Exclusive Special Courts for specified offences.
• Contains provisions relating to victim and witness rights and protection.
• Provides enhanced legal safeguards against caste-based atrocities.
• It operates alongside constitutional protections such as Articles 15 (prohibition of discrimination on grounds including caste), 17  (Abolition of untouchability) and 21 (Protection of life and personal liberty, including dignity).

Section 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s)

• These provisions criminalize certain forms of intentional caste-based humiliation, intimidation or abuse.
• For the relevant offences to be established, broadly three conditions areimportant:
  • The accused should not be a member of an SC or ST community.
  • The act should be intended to humiliate or insult the victim on the basis of caste.
  • The alleged act should occur “in any place within public view”.
• For cases involving social media, the interpretation of the third requirement (public view) becomes particularly important.

What does “Public View” mean?

• In Hitesh Verma v. State of Uttarakhand (2020), the Supreme Court explained that “public view” refers to circumstances where members of the public could witness or hear the alleged utterance.
• The Court held that merely because an incident occurs in a particular physical location, it does not automatically mean that it occurred in “public view”.
• The circumstances in which the alleged offence took place must be examined.
• The Supreme Court reiterated this approach in Ramkrishna Chauhan v. State of Uttar Pradesh, where proceedings under the SC/ST Act involved allegations against a school manager.
• The Court emphasised that the requirement depends upon whether members of the public could actually witness or hear the alleged utterance.
• Thus, the mere location of an incident is not sufficient; the circumstances determining public visibility or audibility are relevant.

Calcutta High Court: Public View in the Digital Domain

• The case before the Calcutta High Court involved a Scheduled Caste petitioner who alleged that two persons from general caste communities had used casteist expletives against him on Facebook.
• The police subsequently filed a closure report, stating that Facebook had not provided the required user details.
• The complainant challenged the closure report before a special court at Alipore.
• After the special court rejected the petition, the matter reached the Calcutta High Court.
• The High Court set aside the special court’s order, criticized its reasoning and questioned the police investigation.
• On the specific issue of “public view”, the High Court held that the concept “transcends physical space into the digital domain.”
• Therefore, the fact that the alleged casteist abuse occurred through a social-media platform does not, by itself, place it outside the scope of the SC/ST Act.

What have other courts said?

Kerala High Court

• In Sooraj V. Sukumar v. State of Kerala (2022), the Kerala High Court observed that courts should not interpret legislation as though society and technology have remained unchanged since the law was enacted.
• The court described the SC/ST Act as an “ongoing statute”, indicating that its interpretation may need to accommodate technological developments.
• A narrowly restrictive interpretation could, according to the Court, undermine the purpose of the legislation.

Public View in the Digital Age

• The issue highlights an important legal question- Can an online platform constitute a place within ” public view”?
• The recent judicial approach suggests that the answer depends on the circumstances of the communication, including whether the alleged caste-based insult was accessible to or capable being witnessed by members of the public.

Significance and Challenges

• Expands legal understanding- The concept of public view is no longer necessarily restricted to conventional physical spaces.
• Addresses digital platforms- Social media can create public-facing spaces where caste-based abuse may reach a wider audience.
• Protects vulnerable communities- The interpretation seeks to ensure that technological platforms do not become spaces where statutory protections become ineffective.
• Technology and law- It demonstrates the need for courts to interpret existing legislation in the context of technological change.
• Safeguards against overreach- At the same time, courts must examine whether all statutory ingredients of the offence are actually satisfied; not every caste-related remark automatically constitutes an offence under the SC/ST Act.

Challenges

• Determining what constitutes “public view” on different digital platforms.
• Distinguishing private communication from publicly accessible content.
• Establishing the identity of persons behind online accounts.
• Preservation and authentication of digital evidence.
• Balancing protection against caste-based abuse with safeguards against over-criminalization.
• Ensuring that courts examine all statutory requirements rather than treating every caste-related statement as an offence.

Way Forward and Conclusion

The way forward lies in developing clear judicial guidelines for applying the “public view” requirement to social-media content, strengthening mechanisms for preserving digital evidence, and ensuring effective investigation of online caste-based abuse. At the same time, authorities must carefully examine all statutory requirements to prevent both under-enforcement and misuse of the law.

The evolving interpretation of the SC/ST Act shows the need to keep legal frameworks responsive to technological and social changes. A balanced approach can ensure that digital platforms do not become spaces for caste-based humiliation while upholding due process, fairness and the constitutional commitment to equality and dignity.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989:

1. Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) deal with certain forms of intentional caste-based insult, intimidation or abuse.
2. The requirement of “public view” can only be satisfied when an offence occurs in a physical public place.
3. The Supreme Court has held that every caste-related insult automatically constitutes an offence under the SC/ST Act.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 only

D) 1,2 and 3

Mains Practice Question

Q) The concept of ‘public view’ under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 needs to evolve with technological changes. Discuss in the context of caste-based abuse on social media. (250 words)

Banker’s Books Evidence Act, 2026

Source: PIB
GS II: Polity and Governance- Legal reforms, Technology and governance, GS III: Economy- Banking sector, Digitalization of the financial sector, Ease of Doing Business

Why in the News?

The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 comes into force on 1 October 2026, replacing the colonial-era Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891.

News in Brief

• The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 will come into force on 1 October 2026, replacing the 1891 Act.
• It applies to legal proceedings, arbitrations, investigations and inquiries where banking records may be required as evidence.
• The Act retains the existing approach of proving banking records through certified copies, while adapting it to electronic and digital records.
• Its provisions may be extended to other financial-sector entities through government notification, subject to specified conditions.

Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026

• The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 provides a modern framework for admissibility of banking records as evidence in line with contemporary digital banking practices.
• The Act will be used in any legal proceeding, an arbitration and any investigation or inquiry under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, or under any other law for the time being in force, in which evidence is or may be taken.

Key Features

Recognition of Digital Records

• Electronic or digital records of bankers’ books can be admitted as evidence if;
  • The copy is a true and accurate representation of the original record.
  • No unauthorized alteration is detected.
  • There is no tampering or other event affecting the integrity and accuracy of the system.
• Authentication can use manual, digital or electronic signatures.

Certified Copies as Evidence

• The contents of a banker’s book can generally be proved through a certified copy, without requiring production of the original book.

Safeguards for Bank Officials

• A bank officer cannot ordinarily be compelled to produce the banker’s book or appear as a witness merely to prove the records, particularly when the bank is not a party to the proceedings.
• However, a court can require this through a written order recording a special cause.
• Such circumstances include uncertainty regarding authenticity, interruption in regular record-keeping, or failure to comply with an earlier court order.

Wider Financial-Sector Coverage

• While retaining coverage of banks, post-office savings banks and money-order offices, the 2026 Act allows the Government to extend its provisions to other financial-sector entities or classes of entities through notification, with specified conditions or modifications.

Need for the Act

• The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891 was enacted when banking was largely paper-based.
• With India’s rapid shift towards digital banking and online financial transactions, banking records are increasingly created and stored electronically.
• Therefore, the legal framework governing their use as evidence needs to keep pace with technological changes.

Significance of the Act

• The Act establishes a contemporary evidentiary framework for banking records, covering records maintained across physical and digital banking systems.
• It enables standardised authentication and certification of bankers’ books, providing for appropriate certification of physical and electronic records.
• The Act strengthens clarity and procedural safeguards in the production of bankers’ books.
• It also protects bank officials from being routinely required to produce records or testify in proceedings where the bank is not a party.
• It provides a flexible framework for extending the law across the financial sector, as it continues to evolve in India.
• The Act provides for stringent and contemporary safeguards for the secure handling and verification of electronic records as a precondition for their admissibility as evidence in legal proceedings.

Conclusion

The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 updates India’s evidentiary framework to reflect the growing use of digital banking. By recognizing electronic records and strengthening authentication and procedural safeguards, it seeks to make the legal system more efficient, reliable and adaptable to the evolving financial sector.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026:

1. It replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891.
2. It recognizes electronic and digital banking records as evidence subject to prescribed conditions.
3. It allows the Government to extend its provisions to other financial-sector entities.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: d

Bond Yields And Impact Of Rising US Treasury Yields

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Indian Economy- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial growth and  Issues relating to mobilization of resources.

Why in the News?

The yield on the 30-year US Treasury bond has reached its highest level in around 25 years

News in Brief

• The 30-year US Treasury bond yield has reached around 5.56%, its highest level in nearly 25 years.
• The current yields are around 4.86% for the 2-year bond, 5.22% for the 10-year bond and 5.56% for the 30-year bond.
• The rise in US Treasury yields reflects concerns over inflation, increasing government borrowing and the growing debt burden of the US.
• Since US Treasury securities influence global financial markets, higher yields can have implications for borrowing costs, capital flows and economic activity worldwide.

What are Bond Yields?

• A bond yield is the return that an investor expects to earn from holding a bond.
• For example, if the government issues a bond with a face value of $100 and promises a fixed annual payment of $10, the initial yield is 10%.
• However, bonds are actively traded in the secondary market.
• Therefore, their market price can change even though the interest payment remains fixed.

Bond Price-Yield Relationship

• Bond prices and bond yields generally move in opposite direction.
• When the market price of a bond falls, its yield rises because the fixed interest payment represents a higher return on the lower purchase price.
• Conversely, when the bond price rises, its yield falls.
  • For example, a bond paying $10 annually offers a 10% return when purchased for $100, but the same payment represents about an 11.1% yield if its market price falls to $90.
• Thus, rising Treasury yields can occur when bond prices decline as investors demand higher returns.

Reason behind the rising US Treasury Yields

• Persistent inflation
  • Inflation reduces the purchasing power of future interest payments.
  • Investors therefore demand higher nominal returns to compensate for the erosion of the real value of their money.
  • Inflation and Real Returns
    • Investors are concerned not only with the nominal return but also with the real return.
    • If a bond provides a 10% nominal return but inflation is 7%, the investor’s approximate real return is only 3%.
    • Therefore, when inflation expectations increase, investors may demand higher nominal yields to protect their purchasing power.
• Rising US Government Borrowing
  • The US government is borrowing increasingly large amounts to finance its expenditure and meet maturing debt obligations.
  • Growing borrowing requirements increase the supply of government bonds in the market and can put upward pressure on yields.
• Growing Public Debt
  • The US government debt has risen substantially, increasing the amount that the government needs to spend on interest payments.
  • As debt and interest obligations rise, investors may demand higher returns for lending.
• Higher Return Expectations
  • Investors have alternative investment opportunities.
  • If inflation and other economic risks increase, they may demand higher returns from government securities.
• Increased Demand for Loans
  • Governments and businesses around the world require funds for expenditure and investment.
  • Rising demand for credit can also push up the returns expected by lenders.

Implications

• Higher Borrowing Costs for the US Government
  • Higher Treasury yields mean that the US government has to pay more when it borrows or refinances debt.
  • A larger share of government expenditure may consequently go towards interest payments, leaving fewer resources for other priorities.
• Higher Cost of Borrowing for Businesses and Households
  • US Treasury yields influence the broader financial system.
  • Higher government bond yields can contribute to higher:
    • Mortgage rates
    • Corporate borrowing costs
    • Consumer loan rates
    • Cost of capital for businesses
• Impact on Global Financial Markets
  • US Treasury securities are considered a major benchmark for global financial markets.
  • Therefore, changes in Treasury yields can influence borrowing costs and investment decisions across countries.
  • Higher US yields can make US financial assets relatively more attractive and may affect international capital flows.
• Pressure on Emerging Markets
  • Higher US yields can encourage investors to move capital towards US assets.
  • This may put pressure on emerging-market currencies and financial markets.
  • Countries with significant external financial requirements can be particularly sensitive to changes in global interest rates.
• Debt Sustainability Concerns
  • The US government’s growing debt means that higher interest rates can increase the cost of servicing existing debt.
  • If borrowing continues to rise while yields remain elevated, interest payments can become an increasingly important component of government expenditure.

Why US Treasury Bonds Matter Globally?

• US Treasury securities occupy a central position in the international financial system.
• They are widely regarded as relatively safe assets and are held by:
  • Governments and central banks
  • Financial institutions
  • Institutional investors
  • Pension funds
  • International investors
• Therefore, changes in Treasury yields can influence global interest rates, capital flows, exchange rates and investment decisions.

Impact on India

• Changes in US Treasury yields can also affect India through global capital flows and financial-market conditions.
• Higher US yields may;
  • Make US assets more attractive to global investors.
  • Influence foreign portfolio investment flows into emerging markets.
  • Put pressure on emerging-market currencies.
  • Increase global borrowing costs.
  • Affect Indian bond yields and financing conditions.
  • Influence the cost of capital for Indian businesses.
• However, the impact on India depends on domestic inflation, monetary policy, growth conditions, capital flows and other country-specific factors.

Conclusion

Rising bond yields reflect changing inflation, borrowing and risk expectations. As US Treasury yields rise, they can increase global borrowing costs and influence capital flows, with implications for emerging economies such as India.

UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding bond yields:

1. Bond prices and bond yields generally move in opposite directions.
2. Higher inflation can lead investors to demand higher nominal yields.
3. US Treasury yields have no significant influence on global borrowing costs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Mains Practice Question

Q) Rising US Treasury bond yields have implications beyond the United States. Examine how higher US yields can affect global financial markets and emerging economies such as India. (150 words)

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