CLAT 2027 Current Affairs October 14, 2026 | UPI Fees, Starlink vs Jio, AIADMK MLAs, BIMSTEC, Ladakh

1. UPI Merchant Fee (MDR) Put Off Until After Deepavali

In the news: The NPCI has postponed the 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments. It was to start on October 15. The new date is "immediately after Deepavali", but no exact date is given. Government sources said the Prime Minister's Office took the decision after traders asked for more time.

The fee applies to UPI payments above ₹2,000 made to medium and large merchants. Capital markets and some strategic sectors will have different rates. The Supreme Court has asked NPCI, the Union government and the RBI to file affidavits by late October. They must explain why the fee is needed.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• MDR: The fee a merchant pays to accept a digital payment.

• NPCI: The National Payments Corporation of India, which runs UPI. It was set up by the RBI and the Indian Banks' Association.

• Section 10A, Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007: The provision under challenge in the Supreme Court.

• CAIT: The traders' body, which welcomed the delay and had met the Finance Minister on September 30.

MCQs

Q1. What is the MDR rate that was to start on UPI payments above ₹2,000?
A. 0.2%
B. 0.4%
C. 1%
D. 2%

Answer: B

Q2. Who runs UPI?
A. RBI
B. SEBI
C. NPCI
D. NABARD

Answer: C

Q3. By when must NPCI, the Centre and the RBI file their affidavits in the Supreme Court?
A. By late October
B. By mid-November
C. By December 31
D. Within one week

Answer: A

2. Elon Musk vs Mukesh Ambani: Starlink’s Entry into India

In the news: Elon Musk has accused Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani of trying to keep Starlink out of India to protect Jio. On October 9, Musk sarcastically called Ambani the “real boss of India” in a post on X. On October 11, he said competition would give Indian customers more choices and that Starlink would need affordable prices to attract users.

Starlink is awaiting security clearances to begin services in India. In March 2025, SpaceX signed agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to explore partnerships for satellite internet services. The dispute comes as Jio Platforms prepares for a reported IPO later this month. The government has denied allowing monopolies in any sector.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Starlink: A satellite internet service run by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

• Reliance Jio: An Indian telecom company led by Mukesh Ambani.

• Satellite internet: Provides internet through satellites and can connect remote areas.

• Department of Telecommunications (DoT): The government department that regulates telecom services.

• GMPCS authorisation: Permission for satellite-based mobile communication services. Starlink has received this authorisation, but security clearances were still pending, according to the report.

• IPO: The first time a company offers its shares to the public.

MCQs

Q1. Which company runs Starlink?

A. Reliance Industries
B. SpaceX
C. Bharti Airtel
D. Jio Platforms

Answer: B

Q2. What did Elon Musk accuse Mukesh Ambani of?

A. Trying to keep Starlink out of India to protect Jio
B. Blocking all internet services
C. Buying SpaceX
D. Opposing rural internet access

Answer: A

Q3. Which department regulates telecom services in India?

A. Department of Telecommunications
B. Ministry of Education
C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
D. Department of Space

Answer: A

3. Madras High Court on Defecting AIADMK MLAs

In the news: On Tuesday, the Madras High Court upheld the Tamil Nadu Speaker's decision to accept the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs. They resigned between May 26 and June 29, 2026, and later joined the TVK. The Bench was headed by Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari.

Four of them also face disqualification cases that have been pending for four months. The court told the Speaker to decide these within two months. He must make a timetable within seven days and share it publicly. No more than two adjournments can be given to the MLAs.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Tenth Schedule: Also called the anti-defection law. It allows disqualification of a member who voluntarily gives up party membership.

• Resignation vs disqualification: An MLA can resign under Article 190(3)(b). A pending disqualification case is a separate matter.

• Kihoto Hollohan (1992): Upheld the Tenth Schedule. Speaker's decisions are open to judicial review.

• Keisham Meghachandra Singh (2020): The Supreme Court said Speakers should normally decide disqualification cases within three months.

MCQs

Q1. Which Schedule of the Constitution deals with anti-defection?
A. Seventh
B. Eighth
C. Ninth
D. Tenth

Answer: D

Q2. How much time did the Madras High Court give the Speaker to decide the pending cases?
A. One month
B. Two months
C. Six months
D. One year

Answer: B

Q3. Which case upheld the Tenth Schedule?
A. Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu
B. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala
C. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India
D. Minerva Mills v. Union of India

Answer: A

4. BIMSTEC Adopts 'Delhi Declaration' on Terrorism

In the news: India hosted the first meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers on Tuesday. The group adopted the "Delhi Declaration". It aims to counter radicalisation and violent extremism, stop misuse of new technology for terror, and tackle terrorist recruitment.

The declaration was signed by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. It also asks members to cut terror financing. Home Minister Amit Shah named five areas of cooperation: drug control, counter-terrorism and legal help, return of fugitives, cybersecurity, and capacity building. Bangladesh, the current chair, sent a senior official and not its Home Minister.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. It has seven members and its secretariat is in Dhaka.

• UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee: Lists individuals and groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIL. The declaration asks for effective use of its sanctions.

• Cross-border terrorism: Terror planned or carried out across a country's borders.

• Extradition: Sending an accused person to another country for trial.

MCQs

Q1. How many member countries signed the Delhi Declaration?
A. Five
B. Six
C. Seven
D. Nine

Answer: C

Q2. Where is the BIMSTEC secretariat located?
A. New Delhi
B. Dhaka
C. Bangkok
D. Colombo

Answer: B

Q3. Which UN committee's sanctions did the declaration ask members to implement effectively?
A. 1267 Sanctions Committee
B. 1373 Committee
C. 1540 Committee
D. 1718 Committee

Answer: A

5. India and China Spar Over Ladakh Place Names

In the news: China said it has "never recognised" the Union Territory of Ladakh. It called India's naming of 28 features there "illegal and void". Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said this on Tuesday.

India's Ministry of External Affairs replied that Ladakh is an "integral and inalienable" part of India. It said the Survey of India named the places only so that people can recognise them correctly. The list has 11 peaks, five mountains, six land areas, two glaciers, two passes, one valley, one river, one lake and one other water body. It is the first such public spat in about two years.

What CLAT 2027 aspirants should know

• Ladakh: Became a Union Territory on August 5, 2019, when Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised, and Article 370 was diluted.

• Survey of India: The country's national mapping agency.

• LAC: The Line of Actual Control, the de facto border with China.

• Standardising names: Giving official names to places on maps. India and China have done this in both the western and eastern sectors.

MCQs

Q1. How many features in Ladakh were given standard names?
A. 11
B. 18
C. 28
D. 38

Answer: C

Q2. Which agency issued the standardised names?
A. Geological Survey of India
B. Survey of India
C. ISRO
D. Archaeological Survey of India

Answer: B

Q3. When did Ladakh become a Union Territory?
A. August 5, 2019
B. October 31, 2019
C. January 26, 2020
D. March 5, 2018

Answer: A

October 14, 2026 Current Affairs: Quick Revision

Candidates can revise these key facts for quick CLAT 2027 current affairs revision:

• UPI MDR: 0.4% on payments above ₹2,000 deferred until after Deepavali; SC affidavits due by late October

• NPCI: Runs UPI; set up by RBI and IBA

• Article 22(4) and 22(5): Advisory Board after three months; grounds of detention must be told

• Section 163, BNSS: Prohibitory orders; replaces Section 144 of the CrPC

• Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (2018): No blanket ban on protests at Jantar Mantar

• Supreme Court hearing on detentions: October 15

• Tenth Schedule: Anti-defection law; Madras High Court asked the Speaker to decide within two months

• Kihoto Hollohan (1992): Upheld the Tenth Schedule

• BIMSTEC Delhi Declaration: Seven members; first Home Ministers' meeting

• Ladakh names: 28 features; China calls it "illegal and void"; India says Ladakh is integral

CLAT 2027 Previous Day Current Affairs: October 07 - October 13, 2026