UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 27 October 2026

Antivenom & Snakebites

Context

Scientists from IISc Bengaluru’s Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have created an antivenom that could be used to treat snakebites from the diverse cobra species of India.

Snakebite Envenoming

The snakebite envenoming (poisoning from snake bites) was classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a high-priority neglected tropical disease.

An estimated 1.8 – 2.7 million people worldwide are envenomed annually.

Media Association Challenges Digital Privacy Law

Context

The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has challenged the constitutional validity of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and the DPDP Rules, 2025, as a violation of journalistic freedom.

Concerns Raised by the Petition

Absence of journalistic exemption: The law does not provide a distinct exemption for journalistic activities, potentially subjecting publishers and reporters to notice, consent and data-erasure requirements.

Defence Minister Called for ‘Aatmanirbharta 2.0’ in the Defence Sector

Context

The Defence Minister has called for ‘Aatmanirbharta 2.0’ in the defence sector, with a focus on developing advanced technologies, strengthening research and development (R&D) and building resilient domestic supply chains.

Overview of India’s Defence Sector

India’s annual defence production has surged to an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore in the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26. The milestone represents a 15.6% growth over the previous fiscal year.

Sectoral Contribution: Defence Public Sector Undertakings and other PSUs accounted for approximately 76% of total production, while the private sector contributed 24%.

Cyclone Arnab

Context

India’s east coast is bracing for the year’s first cyclone, Cyclone Arnab, which has intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over the Bay of Bengal.

About

The name Arnab was contributed by Bangladesh to the list of names used for tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean. It is pronounced “Ornab”. In Bengali, the word Arnab means “ocean” or “sea.”

News In Brief 27-10-2026

Context

A Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) court in Delhi accepted the sureties and granted bail to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activists Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.

About Special Executive Magistrate (SEM)

Legal Basis: State governments appoint SEMs for specific areas or purposes and give them the powers exercised by the Executive Magistrates under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.

Functions: They are appointed for a specified period, area or function, such as particular situations that require preventive action or maintenance of public order.