Daily Current Affairs 23 October 2026 – IAS Current Affairs

Current Affairs 23 October 2026 focuses on the Prelims-Mains perspective. Major events are :

Climate Change And The Paris Agreement Emissions Gap

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Environment and Climate change

Why in the News?

UNEP’s Emissions Gap Report 2026 highlights the gap between current climate commitments and the emission cuts needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius, warning that stronger climate action and faster renewable energy deployment are essential.

News in Brief

• Even under an ambitious scenario, global warming could temporarily reach 1.7–1.8°C around 2050 before returning to 1.5°C in the second half of the century.
• Global greenhouse gas emissions must decline by 18% by 2030, 45% by 2035 and 69% by 2040, compared with 2025 levels.
• Solar and wind installations have increased 2.5 times since the Paris Agreement. However, UNEP estimates that installations need to rise to three times their 2025 level over the next decade.
• The shortcomings of the Loss and Damage Fund highlight the difficulties faced by vulnerable countries in obtaining support for climate-related losses.

The 1.5 degree Celsius target is increasingly difficult to achieve

• The Paris Agreement aims to keep the rise in global average temperature below 2 degree Celsius and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degree Celsius  above pre-industrial levels.
• According to the report, achieving this target requires rapid and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Under the lowest-overshoot scenario discussed in the report;
  • Global warming could peak at 1.7–1.8°C around 2050.
  • Temperatures could return to 1.5°C in the second half of the century.
  • This pathway would require steep emission reductions over the coming decades.
• The report’s projections indicate that returning to the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold would remain extremely challenging.

A major gap between commitments and requirements

• The emission reductions needed to limit warming to 1.5°C are considerably greater than those expected from countries’ existing climate action plans.

• Year	Required reduction in global GHG emissions compared with 2025
  2030	18%
  2035	45%
  2040	69%

• The report also highlights the gap between required reductions and current commitments.
• If countries fully implement their submitted climate action plans;
  • Global emissions would decline by only 5–8% by 2030.
  • Emissions would decline by 11–15% by 2035.
• These reductions fall well short of the levels required to return global warming to the 1.5°C pathway.
• Existing climate commitments are insufficient without stronger targets and effective implmentation.

Renewable Energy as a Major Opportunity

• The expansion of renewable energy offers a reason for optimism.
  • Solar and wind installations have increased 2.5 times since the Paris Agreement.
  • Renewable energy deployment needs to accelerate substantially over the next decade.
  • The report calls for installations to reach three times their 2025 level.
• Technological progress and falling renewable energy costs could support this transition.
• However, challenges remain in energy storage, grid infrastructure, investment and supply-chain security.
• Geopolitical tensions could also affect access to critical materials and clean-energy technologies.

Carbon Storage and Emerging Technologies

• The report discusses technologies such as carbon storage as potential tools for reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.
• Carbon capture and storage involves capturing carbon dioxide from industrial processes or energy facilities and storing it to prevent its release into the atmosphere.
• However, uncertainties remain regarding the cost, scalability and long-term effectiveness of these technologies.
• Carbon removal and storage may complement emission reductions, but they cannot substitute for rapid reductions in fossil-fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change and Vulnerable Countries

• Climate-related damage is likely to continue even if mitigation efforts improve.
• This raises an important question: how can the international community compensate countries and communities that  face severe climate impacts despite contributing relatively little to historical emissions?
• The report highlights the shortcomings of the Loss and Damage Fund, particularly its failure to provide adequate assistance to Nepal following floods in August, as an example of the difficulties in delivering climate support.
• This demonstrates the gap between international climate commitments and actual assistance to vulnerable countries.

Challenges in achieving climate targets

• Achieving the 1.5 degree Celsius target is challenged by insufficient national climate commitments, limited climate finance for developing countries and the high costs of emerging technologies.
• Geopolitical tensions and competition over critical minerals can disrupt clean-energy supply chains.
• Meanwhile, vulnerable countries face disproportionate climate impacts, while the gap between announced targets and their actual implementation remains a major concern.

Way Forward and Conclusion

Countries should strengthen their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), accelerate renewable energy deployment and improve energy storage and grid infrastructure.  Developed countries should provide adequate climate finance, while the Loss and Damage Fund must ensure timely support to vulnerable communities. International cooperation, technology transfer and a just transition are essential overcome financial, technological and geopolitical barriers.

Achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target requires a shift from climate commitments to effective implementation. Coordinated global action, climate justice and equitable access to finance and technology are crucial to reducing emissions and protecting vulnerable countries from climate impacts.

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana

Source: PIB
GS II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes.

Why in the News?

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with an outlay of ₹53,428 crore. The programme has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, with significant changes to the disability pension scheme to expand coverage.

News in Brief

• The programme will continue for five years, covering approximately 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all States and Union Territories.
• The disability pension eligibility criterion has been reduced from 80% disability to 40% benchmark disability.
• The minimum age requirement for disability pension has been removed, allowing eligibility from birth.
• Monthly central assistance under the disability pension scheme has increased to ₹375 for beneficiaries up to 79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above.

Renaming of the Programme

• The National Social Assistance Programme has been renamed the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
• Its four sub-schemes have also received new names.
  • Old-age pension: Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
  • Widow pension: Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
  • Disability pension: Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
  • Family benefit scheme: Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
• The old-age pension, widow pension and family benefit scheme will continue in their existing forms.
• The major changes concern disability pension eligibility, coverage and financial assistance.

Changes in Disability Pension

• The government has received the disability pension scheme to bring it in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act,2016.
• The changes will benefit persons with benchmark disabilities who were previously excluded because their disability was below 80% or because they had not attained the age of 18.
• A valid disability certificate and the below-poverty-line household requirement continue to apply.

Financial Allocation and Coverage

• The scheme has a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31 and is expected to cover approximately 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 States and Union Territories.
• It provides 100% central assistance, while implementation is carried out by State and Union Territory administrations through their respective departments.
• Gram Panchayats and municipalities help identify eligible beneficiaries, and financial assistance is largely transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• States and Union Territories may also provide additional pension support from their own resources.

Significance of the Decision

• The revised scheme expands social coverage by reducing the disability threshold from 80% to 40%, bringing more persons with disabilities within the pension framework.
• Removing the minimum age requirement also enables eligible children with disabilities to receive assistance from birth, subject to the applicable conditions.
• The increase in monthly assistance provides additional financial support, although its adequacy must be assessed against rising living costs and the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
• Further, aligning the eligibility criteria with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, strengthens the consistency of social assistance with the legal framework for disability rights.
• Effective coordination among the Union government, State governments, local bodies and welfare departments is essential for proper implementation, while additional pension support from States can further improve the assistance available to beneficiaries.

Challenges

• Despite these improvements, the scheme faces several implementation challenges.
• The revised pension rates may remain inadequate to meet healthcare, mobility and daily living expenses.
• Delays in disability assessment and certification can prevent eligible persons from accessing benefits.
• Limited awareness of the scheme and its application process may exclude deserving households.
• Differences in State-level pension supplements and administrative capacity can also create disparities in the assistance received by beneficiaries.
• Moreover, delays in application processing, verification and benefit transfers may weaken last-mile delivery and reduce the scheme’s effectiveness.

Way Forward and Conclusion

The government should ensure timely implementation of revised eligibility criteria, simplify disability certification and application procedures, and improve awareness through local bodies. Transparent DBT payments, greater State-Level support and periodic reviews of pension adequacy are essential to address rising living costs.

The Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana can strengthen inclusive development by expanding disability pension coverage, provided adequate assistance reaches eligible beneficiaries without delays.

Nepal Becomes First Beneficiary Of Loss And Damage Fund

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Disaster and Disaster Management

Why in the News?

The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) has provisionally set aside $20 million for Nepal, making it the first beneficiary of the international fund established to support vulnerable developing countries facing climate-related losses and damages.

News in Brief

• The FRLD was established in 2022 to provide financial assistance to developing countries affected by climate change.
• The fund’s board has provisionally approved $20 million for Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction following devastating floods.
• Nepal’s estimated economic losses and damages from the floods reached approximately $2.69 billion, while initial recovery and reconstruction needs were estimated at a minimum of $4.71 billion.
• The FRLD has received 176 funding requests from 119 countries, amounting to approximately $2.5 billion, which are being processed.

What is Loss and Damage in climate change?

• The Loss and damage refers to the adverse consequences of climate change that occur despite mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• It includes both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic losses

• Damage to houses, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
• Loss of agricultural production and livelihoods.
• Destruction of businesses and public assets.
• Costs associated with reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Non-economic losses

• Loss of human life and cultural heritage.
• Displacement of communities.
• Damage to ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Loss of traditional knowledge, social networks and cultural identity.

Loss and damage may result from sudden-onset events, such as floods and cyclones, as well as slow-onset processes, such as sea-level rise, desertification and glacial offset.

Fund for responding to loss and damage

The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) is an international climate finance mechanism established to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

It addresses climate-related losses that cannot be adequately avoided through mitigation or managed through adaptation alone.

Background

• COP27, 2022: Countries agreed to establish a dedicated fund to address loss and damage in vulnerable developing countries.
• COP28, 2023: The fund was operationalized, with an initial announcement of pledges to support its functioning.
• Subsequent developments: The fund began developing its funding arrangements and procedures to provide financial support to vulnerable countries.
• Nepal’s case: The provisional allocation of $20 million represents an important step towards providing financial assistance for recovery and reconstruction after climate-related disasters.

Provisional Funding for Nepal

• The FRLD board provisionally set aside$20 million for Nepal following the devastating floods in August.
• Nepal must submit a formal funding request, which will be considered at the board’s next meeting in December.
• The proposed assistance is intended to support recovery and reconstruction.
• The provisional allocation is less than 1% of Nepal’s estimated reconstruction requirements, but it represents an important initial step towards international climate-related financial assistance.

Impact of the floods in Nepal

• The disaster caused more than 1,300 deaths.
• Over 5,000 people were reported missing at the time of the report.
• Economic losses and damages were estimated at approximately $2.69 billion.
• Initial recovery and reconstruction requirements were estimated at a minimum of $4.71 billion.
• The disaster highlights the vulnerability of mountainous regions to climate-related hazards and the substantial financial requirements associated with post-disaster recovery.

Funding requests from developing countries

• The FRLD had received 176 funding requests from 119 countries.
• These requests amounted to approximately $2.5 billion.
• The requests were still being processed, with further decisions expected at a scheduled board meeting in December.
• Funding requests for individual incidents are generally expected to fall within the range of $5 million to $20 million, according to the report.
• The growing number of requests highlights the gap between the financial needs of vulnerable countries and the resources available for climate-related disaster recovery.

Conditions for Accessing Funds

• The Fund’s initial allocation process involves several procedural requirements.
• Countries must submit formal funding requests.
• Proposals are subject to assessment and approval by the fund’s board.
• Further bureaucratic procedures may delay the release of assistance.
• In Nepal’s case, the proposed funding is linked to the preparation and approval of the required project proposals.
• Such procedures are important for accountability but must be designed to ensure that emergency assistance reaches affected communities in a timely manner.

Climate Justice and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities

• The FRLD is closely linked to principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• The principle recognizes that countries have shared responsibility for addressing climate change, but their responsibilities and capacities differ.
• Developing countries argue that they face disproportionate climate risks despite having contributed relatively little to historical greenhouse gas emissions.
• Climate finance mechanisms, including the FRLD, seek to address these inequalities by supporting countries with limited financial and institutional capacity.

Significance and Challenges

• The FRLD supports vulnerable developing countries that lack the financial resources to recover from climate-related disasters.
• It advances climate justice by recognizing the unequal distribution of climate risks and helps restore infrastructure, livelihoods and essential public services after disasters.
• It also complements adaptation finance by addressing residual impacts that cannot be fully prevented and strengthens international cooperation in tackling climate change.

Challenge

• The FRLD faces inadequate funding compared with the growing recovery and reconstruction needs of vulnerable countries.
• Increasing climate-related disasters may further widen this gap, while complex approval procedures and delays in disbursement can hinder timely assistance.
• Uncertain financial contributions, limited technical capacity to prepare funding proposals and concerns over transparency and accountability also affect its effectiveness.
• Moreover, assessing non-economic losses, such as damage to cultural heritage, biodiversity and community networks, remains difficult.

Way Forward and Conclusion

The FRLD requires adequate and predictable funding, simplified procedures and timely disbursement to support vulnerable countries. Transparent monitoring, stronger institutional capacity and better coordination with national disaster management strategies are essential for effective fund utilization.

The provisional allocation of $20 million to Nepal marks an important step towards climate justice. However, the fund’s success depends on bridging the climate finance gap, prioritizing vulnerable countries and addressing both economic and non-economic losses.

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