India’s Soybean Imports (2025–26): India’s soybean imports reached a record 1.1 million metric tonnes in the marketing year ending September 30, 2026, compared with around 2,000 tonnes in the previous year + Driving Factors – Rising domestic soybean prices encouraged Indian processing mills to increase overseas purchases + Import Restrictions – India permits only non-genetically modified (non-GM) soybean imports, limiting sourcing mainly to African countries + Major Suppliers – Niger, Benin, Togo and Nigeria + Top Exporter – Niger supplied over 4.3 lakh tonnes, emerging as India’s largest soybean supplier.

Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP): Proposed 11,200 MW hydropower and water-storage project on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, designed by NHPC Limited; if completed, it will be India’s largest hydropower project + Capacity & Scope – 11,200 MW capacity with a large reservoir for electricity generation, groundwater improvement and flood moderation + Strategic Importance – Intended to strengthen India’s water security against China’s upstream hydropower development + China’s Project – Proposed 60,000 MW hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Medog County, Tibet, upstream of the Siang-Brahmaputra system

India Releases Four Key Publications on Biodiversity: India released four publications on biodiversity conservation, biosafety and Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) during a side event at the 17th Conference of Parties (COP-17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Yerevan, Armenia + I-OECMs Guidelines 2026 – Provides criteria for recognising conservation areas outside formally protected areas + 5th National Report on Cartagena Protocol – Highlights India’s regulatory framework for living modified organisms (LMOs) + CBD Handbook – “The Convention on Biological Diversity Handbook: Reference Guide and Indian Perspective” supports understanding of international negotiations + India’s ABS Success Story.