CLAT 2027 Daily Current Affairs - October 9, 2026 | Living Planet Report 2026, Nobel Prize in Chemistry, New A

1. Living Planet Report 2026

In the News: WWF released the Living Planet Report 2026, titled The Science of Hope, on October 7, 2026. The report found that the average size of monitored vertebrate wildlife populations declined by 73% between 1970 and 2022. It highlights the need to transform energy, food and finance systems to reverse biodiversity loss.

What CLAT 2027 Aspirants Should Know

• The report is published every two years. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) produces the Living Planet Index (LPI).

• The LPI includes 35,803 population trends involving 5,790 vertebrate species.

• Ecosystem-wise declines: freshwater, 85%; terrestrial, 69%; and marine, 59%.

• The 73% figure represents the average decline in the size of monitored wildlife populations. It does not mean that 73% of all animals or species have disappeared.

• The report highlights habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation and climate change among the major drivers of biodiversity loss.

• India's conservation efforts include monitoring tigers, Asiatic lions and Nilgiri tahr.

MCQs

Q1. According to the Living Planet Report 2026, the average decline in the size of monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2022 was:

(a) 59%

(b) 73%

(c) 85%

(d) 95%

Answer: (b)

Q2. Which statement about the Living Planet Index (LPI) is correct?

(a) It records the total number of species that have gone extinct since 1970.

(b) It measures changes in the relative abundance of monitored wildlife populations.

(c) It is published annually by the IUCN.

(d) It is managed by UNEP alone.

Answer: (b)

2. Nuclear Power on the Moon

In the News: NASA and the US Department of Energy (DOE) are collaborating to develop a fission surface power system for the Moon, with a development target of 2030 under the Artemis campaign. A lunar nuclear reactor could provide a reliable source of electricity during periods when solar power is unavailable.

What CLAT 2027 Aspirants Should Know

• NASA and the US DOE announced their renewed collaboration in January 2026 through a memorandum of understanding for developing a lunar surface reactor by 2030.

• Nuclear fission generates energy by splitting atomic nuclei. A fission surface power system could provide electricity to lunar habitats, scientific equipment and other infrastructure.

• Some permanently shadowed craters near the Moon's south pole contain water ice and receive little or no direct sunlight.

• The Outer Space Treaty, 1967, prohibits national appropriation of the Moon and other celestial bodies. Article IX requires states to conduct space activities with due regard for the corresponding interests of other states.

• The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 47/68 in 1992, setting out principles relevant to the use of nuclear power sources in outer space. These principles are not a standalone binding treaty.

• SNAP-10A, launched by the United States in April 1965, was the first US nuclear fission reactor launched into space.

• Apollo 12 carried a SNAP-27 radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), which used plutonium-238 to produce electricity.

MCQs

Q1. Which international treaty prohibits national appropriation of the Moon and other celestial bodies?

(a) Liability Convention, 1972

(b) Outer Space Treaty, 1967

(c) UN Principles on Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space, 1992

(d) Artemis Accords

Answer: (b)

Q2. The 1992 UN Principles Relevant to the Use of Nuclear Power Sources in Outer Space are:

(a) A legally binding agreement enforced by the IAEA

(b) A treaty binding on all spacefaring states

(c) Non-binding principles addressing safety and related issues

(d) A subsidiary treaty of the Liability Convention

Answer: (c)

3. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026: Non-Linear Effects & Autocatalysis

In the News: The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Henri B. Kagan of France and Kensō Soai of Japan for their work on asymmetric synthesis, nonlinear effects and autocatalysis. Their research has helped scientists understand how chemical reactions can favour one mirror-image form of a molecule over another.

What CLAT 2027 Aspirants Should Know

• Chirality: A chiral molecule and its mirror image cannot be superimposed on each other. These two forms are known as enantiomers.

• Homochirality: Many biological systems strongly favour one enantiomer over the other. This property is important in understanding the chemistry of life.

• Nonlinear effect: In asymmetric catalysis, the relationship between a catalyst's enantiomeric composition and the product's enantiomeric composition may be nonlinear.

• Autocatalysis: A chemical reaction in which a product helps catalyse its own formation.

• Soai reaction: This reaction demonstrated how autocatalysis can amplify a small initial imbalance between mirror-image forms.

• Applications: Asymmetric synthesis is important in pharmaceuticals and the production of other chemicals because different enantiomers can have different properties and biological effects.

MCQs

Q1. The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to:

(a) Henri B. Kagan and Kensō Soai

(b) Henri B. Kagan and Charles Frank

(c) Kensō Soai and Charles Frank

(d) Kensō Soai alone

Answer: (a)

Q2. What does a racemic mixture contain?

(a) Only one enantiomer of a chiral molecule

(b) Only the opposite enantiomer of a chiral molecule

(c) Equal amounts of two enantiomers

(d) A catalyst that reproduces itself

Answer: (c)

4. Reconstitution of Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committees

In the News: Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRSCs) were reconstituted for 2026–27, effective September 26, 2026. These committees examine the work of government ministries and departments and help Parliament scrutinise policies, expenditure and proposed legislation.

What CLAT 2027 Aspirants Should Know

• The DRSC system was introduced in 1993 with 17 committees and expanded to 24 committees in 2004.

• There are 24 DRSCs, with 31 members each: 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.

• Ministers cannot be members of these committees.

• Members generally serve for a term not exceeding one year.

• Their functions include examining Demands for Grants, Bills referred to them and annual reports of ministries and departments.

• Their recommendations are generally advisory and are not binding on the government.

• Eight committees function under the direction and control of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, while 16 function under the Lok Sabha Speaker.

• The committees operate under the relevant procedural rules and directions of the two Houses of Parliament. Articles 105 and 118 of the Constitution concern parliamentary privileges and rules of procedure.

MCQs

Q1. How many Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committees are there in India?

(a) 17

(b) 21

(c) 24

(d) 31

Answer: (c)

Q2. Each DRSC consists of how many members from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively?

(a) 15 and 7

(b) 20 and 10

(c) 21 and 10

(d) 30 and 0

Answer: (c)

5. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed 29th Chief of the Air Staff

In the News: The Government of India appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff. He is scheduled to assume office in the rank of Air Chief Marshal on the afternoon of October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires on the same date.

What CLAT 2027 Aspirants Should Know

• He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in 1986 and has over 3,500 flying hours.

• He has served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command; Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), and Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

• He took part in Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Exercise Cope India and Operation Sindoor.

• Awards: Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026).

MCQs

Q1. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as which number of Chief of the Air Staff?

(a) 27th

(b) 28th

(c) 29th

(d) 30th

Answer: (c).

Q2. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will succeed which officer, who superannuates on 31 October 2026?

(a) Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari

(b) Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh

(c) Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria

(d) Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa

Answer: (b).

6. SAREX-2026

In the News: The Indian Coast Guard conducted the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, SAREX-2026, off the coast of Paradip, Odisha. The exercise focused on coordinating a large-scale rescue operation at sea.

What CLAT 2027 Aspirants Should Know

• SAREX stands for Search and Rescue Exercise.

• The exercise was organised by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), with participation from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

• The exercise involved observers from 30 countries, with 32 observers reported in the official exercise information.

• The simulated scenario involved a passenger aircraft carrying 228 people ditching at sea and colliding with the container vessel MV Zumba.

• The exercise supports coordination among maritime agencies and India's maritime cooperation initiatives, including SAGAR and MAHASAGAR.

• The Indian Coast Guard is an Armed Force of the Union established under the Coast Guard Act, 1978.

• The ICG also serves as the central coordinating authority for oil-spill response in India's maritime zones.

MCQs

Q1. SAREX-2026, the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, was conducted off the coast of:

(a) Kochi, Kerala

(b) Paradip, Odisha

(c) Mumbai, Maharashtra

(d) Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (b)

Q2. The Indian Coast Guard was established under which law?

(a) Coast Guard Act, 1978

(b) Merchant Shipping Act, 1958

(c) Maritime Zones of India Act, 1976

(d) Navy Act, 1957

Answer: (a)

October 9, 2026 Current Affairs: Quick Revision

Here are the topics from today’s CLAT 2027 Current Affairs that aspirants should revise.

• Living Planet Report 2026: Wildlife populations down 73% since 1970, with freshwater down the most at 85%.

• Nuclear Power on the Moon: NASA plans a lunar fission reactor by 2030, and China and Russia plan one by 2035.

• Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026: Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win for non-linear effects and autocatalysis.

• Parliamentary Standing Committees: All 24 Department-Related committees reconstituted for 2026-27.

• New Air Chief: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed the 29th Chief of the Air Staff.

• SAREX-2026: The 12th national maritime search and rescue exercise is held off Paradip, Odisha.