In short: Today’s Prelims current affairs cover FSSAI’s new pesticide residue limits for tea, a draft ban on added sugar in infant food, India’s space economy growth target, the Indian Navy’s MAHASAGAR-linked port call in Seychelles, and the Supreme Court-ordered enquiry portal on the Jantar Mantar violence, with static links, a quick revision table and practice MCQs.
FSSAI’s Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Tea
Why in news: FSSAI notified a draft amendment on 16 October 2026 proposing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of 20 ppm for Acetamiprid and 50 ppm for Imidacloprid in tea, under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
- About MRLs: the maximum legally permitted concentration of a pesticide residue in a food commodity, fixed using scientific risk assessment.
- Nodal body: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Comparison: the proposed 20 ppm limit for Acetamiprid in tea is lower than Japan’s 30 ppm and the USA’s 50 ppm.
- Context: India’s average pesticide use is under 0.5 kg/hectare, against a global average of 2.38 kg/hectare.
Source: PIB · GS Paper 3 (Food Safety / Agriculture)
Prelims angle: Remember FSSAI is a statutory body under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and that MRLs are commodity-and-pesticide specific; do not confuse the Acetamiprid limit (20 ppm) with the Imidacloprid limit (50 ppm) for tea.
FSSAI’s Draft Ban on Added Sugar in Infant Food (0-6 Months)
Why in news: FSSAI published a draft amendment in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026 proposing that sucrose and fructose shall not be added to food products intended for infants up to six months of age.
- Governing regulation: Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which cover products for children from birth up to 24 months.
- Current rule: lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred carbohydrate sources; sucrose/fructose are allowed only within prescribed limits when needed.
- Objective: to support exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months and reduce early exposure to added sugars linked to childhood obesity.
- Process: open for public consultation for 60 days from gazette publication before finalisation.
Source: PIB · GS Paper 2 (Health Policy)
Prelims angle: Note that the proposed restriction applies specifically to infants up to six months, not the full birth-to-24-months range covered by the 2020 Regulations.
India’s Space Economy Growth Target: USD 40-45 Billion
Why in news: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on 17 October 2026 that India’s space economy, currently valued at around USD 9 billion, is projected to reach USD 40-45 billion in the next seven to eight years, speaking at a Bloomberg New Economy Forum roundtable in New Delhi.
- Current value: around USD 9 billion, as stated by the Minister.
- Nodal body for private space activity: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), under the Department of Space.
- Policy context: India opened its space sector to private participation in 2019-2020.
- Ministry: Dr. Jitendra Singh holds independent charge of the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Department of Space.
Source: PIB · GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology)
Prelims angle: IN-SPACe is the single-window nodal agency for authorising and promoting private space activities in India; it is distinct from ISRO, which remains the government’s space research and launch agency.
INS Tir and INS Sujata Depart Seychelles Under MAHASAGAR Vision
Why in news: Ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron — INS Tir, INS Sujata, and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi — departed Port Victoria, Seychelles on 15 October 2026 after a training port call that began on 12 October 2026.
- Activities: a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Seychelles Coast Guard Ship Andromache, plus firefighting and small-arms training for Seychelles Defence Force personnel.
- Vision cited: the deployment is linked to India’s MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
- Formation: the ships belong to the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS).
- Diplomatic engagement: Senior Officer, 1TS, called on Maj Gen Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces, Seychelles.
Source: PIB · GS Paper 2/3 (International Relations / Defence)
Prelims angle: MAHASAGAR, unveiled by the Prime Minister in Mauritius in March 2025, is the broadened successor to India’s 2015 SAGAR doctrine; do not confuse the two names in MCQs. Read more on MAHASAGAR.
HPEC Launches Portal for Jantar Mantar Violence Enquiry
Why in news: The Supreme Court-constituted High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC), set up to probe the violence at Jantar Mantar, Delhi and other places in July 2026, launched a public portal (hpec.nic.in) on 17 October 2026 for affected persons to file complaints.
- Mandate: to examine issues listed in the Supreme Court’s orders of 18 August 2026 and 10 September 2026.
- Priority areas: use of pellet guns, targeted violence and harassment of female protestors, and destruction of property.
- Ministry involved: Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Access: complaints can be filed online via the portal, by post, by email, or in person at the HPEC office in New Delhi.
Source: PIB · GS Paper 2 (Polity/Governance)
Prelims angle: The HPEC was constituted by the Supreme Court, not by the government or Parliament; this distinguishes it from a statutory or executive commission of inquiry.
Quick Revision Table
| Item | Key fact to remember | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI tea pesticide MRLs | Acetamiprid 20 ppm, Imidacloprid 50 ppm (draft) | Food Safety / Agriculture |
| FSSAI infant food sugar ban | No added sucrose/fructose for infants up to 6 months (draft) | Health Policy |
| India’s space economy | ~USD 9 bn now → USD 40-45 bn target in 7-8 years | Science & Technology |
| INS Tir, INS Sujata in Seychelles | First Training Squadron port call, linked to MAHASAGAR vision | Defence / IR |
| HPEC portal (hpec.nic.in) | Supreme Court body on Jantar Mantar violence, July 2026 | Polity / Governance |
Practice MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding FSSAI’s draft Maximum Residue Limits for tea:
1. The proposed limit for Acetamiprid in tea is higher than the limit followed in the United States.
2. Maximum Residue Limits are fixed under the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (b) Statement 1 is incorrect: India’s proposed 20 ppm limit for Acetamiprid in tea is lower than the US limit of 50 ppm. Statement 2 is correct.
Q2. FSSAI’s draft amendment on infant nutrition proposes to restrict the addition of which substances in food for infants up to six months?
- Lactose and glucose polymers
- Sucrose and fructose
- Vitamin D and iron
- Protein isolates
Show answer
Answer: (b) The draft amendment restricts the addition of sucrose and fructose; lactose and glucose polymers remain the preferred carbohydrate sources under the existing regulations.
Q3. The body responsible for authorising and promoting private sector participation in India’s space activities is:
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Department of Science and Technology
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe)
- Antrix Corporation
Show answer
Answer: (c) IN-SPACe, under the Department of Space, is the nodal body for authorising and promoting private space activities; ISRO remains focused on research and launches.
Q4. The MAHASAGAR vision, referenced in the context of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron deployment, is best described as:
- A trade agreement among Indian Ocean Rim countries
- A broadened successor to India’s SAGAR doctrine for maritime outreach
- A disaster-relief fund administered by the United Nations
- A naval shipbuilding programme under Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Show answer
Answer: (b) MAHASAGAR is India’s broadened maritime vision, announced as a successor to the 2015 SAGAR doctrine, not a trade pact, a UN fund or a shipbuilding scheme.
Q5. The High Powered Enquiry Committee (HPEC) referred to in news regarding the Jantar Mantar violence was constituted by:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs
- The Election Commission of India
- The Supreme Court of India
- The Delhi Legislative Assembly
Show answer
Answer: (c) The HPEC was constituted by the Supreme Court of India, not by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Election Commission or the Delhi Assembly.
FAQs
What are the new FSSAI pesticide residue limits for tea?
FSSAI has proposed Maximum Residue Limits of 20 ppm for Acetamiprid and 50 ppm for Imidacloprid in tea, which are lower than or comparable to limits in Japan and the United States.
What is FSSAI proposing for infant food up to six months of age?
FSSAI’s draft amendment proposes banning the addition of sucrose and fructose in food products intended for infants up to six months old, to encourage exclusive breastfeeding and limit early sugar exposure.
What is India’s space economy currently worth and what is the target?
India’s space economy is currently valued at around USD 9 billion and is projected by the government to grow to USD 40-45 billion over the next seven to eight years.
What is the MAHASAGAR vision mentioned in Navy deployments?
MAHASAGAR stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, India’s maritime outreach vision announced in 2025 as a broadened successor to the SAGAR doctrine.
What is the HPEC set up for the Jantar Mantar violence?
The High Powered Enquiry Committee is a Supreme Court-constituted body probing the July 2026 violence at Jantar Mantar and other locations, and it has launched an online portal for complaints.
हिंदी सारांश
17 अक्टूबर 2026 के प्रमुख प्रीलिम्स समसामयिक विषयों में एफएसएसएआई द्वारा चाय में कीटनाशक अवशेष सीमा (एसिटामिप्रिड 20 पीपीएम, इमिडाक्लोप्रिड 50 पीपीएम) का प्रस्ताव शामिल है। एफएसएसएआई ने छह महीने तक के शिशुओं के खाद्य पदार्थों में सुक्रोज और फ्रक्टोज मिलाने पर रोक का मसौदा भी जारी किया है। केंद्रीय मंत्री डॉ. जितेंद्र सिंह ने कहा कि भारत का अंतरिक्ष अर्थव्यवस्था वर्तमान में लगभग 9 अरब डॉलर की है और 7-8 वर्षों में 40-45 अरब डॉलर तक पहुँच सकती है। भारतीय नौसेना के जहाज़ आईएनएस तीर और आईएनएस सुजाता सेशेल्स में प्रशिक्षण दौरे के बाद वापस लौटे, जो मित्रता व सहयोग के महासागर विज़न से जुड़ा है। सर्वोच्च न्यायालय द्वारा गठित उच्च स्तरीय जांच समिति (एचपीईसी) ने जंतर-मंतर हिंसा मामले में शिकायतों के लिए एक पोर्टल शुरू किया है।
Sources: PIB – FSSAI Tea Pesticide MRLs; PIB – FSSAI Infant Nutrition; PIB – India’s Space Economy; PIB – First Training Squadron, Seychelles; PIB – HPEC Portal.
Related reading on GSMitra: UPSC Prelims Current Affairs 16 October 2026, India’s Space Economy: A Multi-Dimensional Look, Project Seabird Phase IIA at Karwar.
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