![Illustration about Polity & Governance: The [Ministry of Home Affairs] has officially notified the 40 questions to be asked during the Population Enumeration ph](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-08-14%2Fcensus-2027-to-have-40-questions-including-details-of-caste-covid-vaccination-id-proofs-e038ebc1.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must Read
Census 2027 to have 40 questions, including details of caste, COVID vaccination, ID proofs
The [Ministry of Home Affairs] has officially notified the 40 questions to be asked during the Population Enumeration phase of the upcoming Census 2027. Significantly, this census will collect data on 'caste' for all citizens via an open column, marking the first time since independence that a comprehensive caste enumeration will occur beyond just Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes
Must ReadIndia in U.S. crosshairs again — White House report cites countries ‘enabling’ China’s tariff evasions
A recent White House report titled ‘The Great Transhipment Scam’ has identified India among the top 'enablers' of China's alleged efforts to evade US tariffs. The report accuses countries, including India, Mexico, and Vietnam, of acting as conduits for Chinese goods, allowing them to bypass punitive tariffs imposed by the US through practices like minor assembly or relabeling, leading to significant revenue losses for the US government.
![Illustration about Economy: The [Comptroller and Auditor General] of India (CAG) released a report highlighting that while India's debt is growing s](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-08-14%2Fdebt-grows-slower-than-gdp-cag-says-revenue-lapses-persist-a5eafefb.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadDebt grows slower than GDP, CAG says; revenue lapses persist
The [Comptroller and Auditor General] of India (CAG) released a report highlighting that while India's debt is growing slower than its GDP, resulting in a moderating debt-to-GDP ratio (58.2% in FY26), significant revenue lapses persist. The audit identified irregularities and systemic failures in government schemes, including the export incentive scheme [RoSCTL] and the direct tax dispute resolution scheme [Vivad se Vishwas], leading to substantial revenue losses.
Read on Economic TimesDive Into Study Notes
Must ReadWPI inflation eases marginally to 9.78% in July; food, fuel and power prices cool
Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation in India eased to 9.78% in July 2026, marking the first month-on-month decline under the new 2022-23 base year, primarily driven by a cooling in fuel, power, and food prices. This contrasts with retail inflation, which rose to 4.45% due to high food prices.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes
Must ReadIndia’s July exports hit record $44.2 billion despite West Asia crisis
India's exports hit a record high in July, reaching $44.2 billion, demonstrating resilience despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia. Imports also surged, primarily driven by essential commodities and soft gold/silver imports following a recent hike in customs duties.
Read on Economic TimesDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Trade & Commerce: Recent data from the [Ministry of Commerce and Industry] highlights a significant surge in India's exports to its Free T](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-08-14%2Findias-fta-exports-surge-shipments-to-singapore-and-sri-lanka-more-than-double-c027a867.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadIndia’s FTA exports surge, shipments to Singapore and Sri Lanka more than double
Recent data from the [Ministry of Commerce and Industry] highlights a significant surge in India's exports to its Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partners during the April-June quarter of the 2026-27 fiscal year. Notably, shipments to Singapore and Sri Lanka more than doubled, while exports to the [ASEAN] and [SAFTA] regions also saw substantial growth.
Read on Economic TimesDive Into Study Notes![Illustration about Space & ISRO: During the ninth meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) in Bengaluru, [NASA] formally invited](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Fprepdose-article-images%2Fdaily-read%2F2026-08-14%2Fwhat-is-nasas-moon-base-programme-and-why-does-it-want-india-to-be-part-of-it-explained-2aae80f0.png&w=1200&q=75)
Must ReadWhat is NASA’s Moon Base programme and why does it want India to be part of it? | Explained
During the ninth meeting of the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group (CSJWG) in Bengaluru, [NASA] formally invited [ISRO] to participate in its ambitious Moon Base programme.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes
Must ReadDespite its reputation, India’s per-unit space launch cost highest: study
A peer-reviewed study published in *Economics Letters* reveals that India's per-kilogram cost for launching payloads into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is the highest among major spacefaring nations, contradicting its long-held reputation for cost-effective space missions. The analysis attributes this to [ISRO]'s reliance on smaller launch vehicles and a lower frequency of launches compared to global competitors, which prevents the realization of economies of scale.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes
Must ReadA predictable rise: On inflation
The editorial analyzes India's retail inflation, which rose to a 19-month high of 4.45% in July. The increase was primarily driven by rural, food-led inflation, specifically staple vegetables, and elevated transport costs, despite core inflation remaining below 3%.
Read on The HinduDive Into Study Notes
Must ReadIndia’s cheap-urea model faces an expensive reckoning
India is currently grappling with the dual challenge of an escalating fertilizer subsidy bill—projected to cross ₹3 lakh crore—and the environmental degradation caused by excessive urea usage. The crisis has been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupting global fertilizer and natural gas supply chains, prompting the government to initiate campaigns urging farmers to reduce chemical fertilizer consumption.
Read on Economic TimesDive Into Study NotesAll caught up!
You've covered today's handpicked stories for your exam prep.