Daily Current Affairs- 4th October 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 4th October 2026

Arrest powers under GST regime likely to be removed

In the News: The GST Council is expected to consider major enforcement reforms at its meeting on October 7, 2026, including a proposal to remove the power of GST officers to arrest taxpayers directly. The proposed framework may instead require judicial authorisation for arrests and raise the threshold for initiating criminal prosecution in tax-evasion cases.

Key Points:

• Proposed Removal of Arrest Powers: The proposal seeks to take direct arrest powers away from GST officers and place arrests under judicial oversight. Tax authorities would, however, continue to retain powers relating to assessment, recovery of unpaid tax, interest and penalties.
• Higher Prosecution Threshold: The Council may consider increasing the monetary threshold for launching criminal prosecution to ₹5 crore. The change is part of a wider effort to distinguish serious tax fraud from procedural or lower-value violations.
• 57th GST Council Meeting: The proposals are expected to be considered at the 57th meeting of the GST Council on October 7, 2026. Other issues on the agenda include Input Tax Credit rules, refunds and simplification of GST administration.
• GST Council Framework: The GST Council is a constitutional body created under Article 279A of the Constitution. It is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and includes representatives of the Union and State governments.
• GST Background: Goods and Services Tax was introduced across India on July 1, 2017 through the constitutional framework created by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016. It replaced several indirect taxes levied by the Centre and States.

SIR exercise: 8.02 lakh names dropped from Uttarakhand’s poll roll

In the News: Uttarakhand published its final electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision, with 71,58,949 registered voters. The figure is about 8.02 lakh lower than the 79,60,762 voters registered when the revision process began in June 2026, prompting measures to identify eligible voters missing from the new roll.

Key Points:

• Final Electoral Roll: The final list contains 71,58,949 voters, including 37,37,701 men, 34,21,036 women and 212 third-gender voters. The SIR exercise in Uttarakhand began on June 8, 2026.
• Reduction in Voter Numbers: Uttarakhand had 79,60,762 registered voters when the revision began. The final roll is therefore about 8.02 lakh below the pre-SIR figure, although new voters were also added during the claims and objections process.
• Re-Enrolment Process: The Election Commission has instructed Booth Level Officers to identify eligible persons who appeared on the earlier roll but are absent from the final list. Eligible citizens can seek inclusion through Form 6 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
• Special Intensive Revision: SIR involves detailed verification of electoral rolls to identify entries relating to deceased, shifted, duplicate or otherwise ineligible persons while facilitating enrolment of eligible voters. The Uttarakhand exercise used July 1, 2026 as its qualifying date.
• Election Commission: The Election Commission of India derives its constitutional authority from Article 324. Preparation and revision of electoral rolls are principally governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

As protests against CEC continue, Rahul launches ‘Satyagraha’ digital platform

In the News: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a digital platform called “Satyagraha” on October 3, 2026 to bring information about protests and public movements from different parts of India onto a common platform. The launch came amid continuing opposition-led protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Key Points:

• Satyagraha Platform: The platform allows groups involved in protests over local or national issues to register their movements, demands and locations. The information is intended to be displayed through an interactive map covering different parts of the country.
• Launch and Gandhi Connection: The platform was launched a day after the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Its name draws from Gandhi's concept of Satyagraha, which was based on non-violent resistance and adherence to truth.
• Protests over the CEC: Opposition groups and youth organisations have been holding demonstrations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Protesters have raised allegations concerning voter-roll revisions, while the Election Commission has defended the revision process as necessary for maintaining accurate rolls.
• Chief Election Commissioner: The CEC heads the Election Commission of India along with the other Election Commissioners. The Commission is entrusted under Article 324 with the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President.
• Rahul Gandhi's Position: Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition in the 18th Lok Sabha. He assumed the position in 2024 and is also a Member of Parliament in the current Lok Sabha.

India’s Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal Called ‘Broadest’ Among Four Offers

In the News: Ukraine has described India's proposed framework for a possible Russia-Ukraine ceasefire as the broadest among four initiatives currently before Kyiv. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said proposals had also been received from Türkiye, Egypt and the United States, while India has indicated a greater willingness to participate in efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

Key Points:

• Four Ceasefire Proposals: Ukraine has received proposals from India, Türkiye, Egypt and the United States. Sybiha described India's proposal as the most comprehensive of the four and said New Delhi had signalled a willingness to play a more active role.
• Scope of India’s Proposal: Discussions include the possibility of stopping attacks on energy infrastructure and improving safety for shipping in the Black Sea. Issues concerning Ukrainian grain and energy exports have also formed part of India's diplomatic engagement.
• Ukraine’s Position: Kyiv has indicated willingness to consider an energy and agricultural truce in the Black Sea as well as an unconditional ceasefire along the line of contact. It has maintained that attacks on ports and energy infrastructure must also cease.
• India’s Diplomatic Role: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India had moved “beyond advocacy” and was becoming more involved in efforts to help end the conflict. India has continued conversations with both Moscow and Kyiv.
• Russia-Ukraine War: Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. India has repeatedly called for dialogue and diplomacy while maintaining relations with both Russia and Ukraine and supporting respect for the principles of the UN Charter.

Hardened narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh deported from Türkiye

In the News: India secured the deportation of alleged narco-trafficking kingpin Navpreet Singh from Türkiye on October 3, 2026. Singh, who had obtained Turkish citizenship under the alias Navab Virk, was wanted in India in connection with narcotics trafficking and other offences involving an international drug network.

Key Points:

• Navpreet Singh Alias Navab Virk: Singh allegedly obtained Turkish citizenship using the identity “Navab Virk”. Indian authorities accused him of continuing to facilitate the smuggling of heroin and methamphetamine from Afghanistan into India while operating from abroad.
• Deportation to India: Indian agencies had sought his return from Türkiye after he became wanted in several narcotics-related cases. Following his deportation, he was brought back to India and placed in custody for proceedings connected with the cases against him.
• BHARATPOL Platform: The operation highlighted the role of BHARATPOL, launched in January 2025 as a unified platform connecting the CBI, State Police Headquarters and other agencies for international police cooperation.
• International Police Cooperation: The CBI functions as India's National Central Bureau for INTERPOL coordination. Red Corner Notices issued through INTERPOL assist member countries in locating persons wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence; they are not themselves international arrest warrants.
• Return of Fugitives: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 288 fugitives were brought back to India from 36 countries between 2019 and August 2026. The government has also used legal mechanisms such as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 against assets linked to fugitive offenders.