National Food Security Act, 2013
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Current affairsGlobal Dryland Congress 2026 and Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D): Transforming Dryland AgricultureThe Global Dryland Congress 2026 concluded on September 12, 2026, at the NASC Complex, New Delhi, with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Drylands (3D). Co-organised by ICRISAT and ICAR on the UN Day for South-South Cooperation, the Congress brought together 800+ experts from global institutions and adopted a shared agenda to transform dryland agriculture through South-South collaboration. Current affairsEl Niño 2026 OND Forecast: India's Rabi Crops, Wheat, and Winter Agriculture at RiskThe World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) have confirmed that El Niño conditions are intensifying and forecast to peak during the October–December (OND) 2026 quarter, with sea surface temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region reaching approximately +3.6°C. This raises significant risks for India's Rabi crop season — particularly wheat, chickpea, mustard, and lentils — through reduced winter rainfall in northwest India and above-normal temperatures. Current affairsIndia Lifts Wheat and Wheat-Flour Export Ban After 3+ Years: DGFT Notifications 34 and 35 of 2026-27The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) issued two notifications on 24 August 2026, moving wheat (durum and standard) and all major wheat-derived products (flour/atta, maida, semolina/rava, wholemeal atta, resultant atta) from "Prohibited" to "Free" export status with immediate effect. The ban had been in force since May 2022. India cites record domestic production and adequate buffer stocks as the rationale for lifting restrictions after over three years. Current affairsDelhi Lakshmi Yojana 2026: ₹2,500 Monthly Cash Transfer for Women and the Unconditional Cash Transfer Policy DebateThe Delhi Government approved the Lakshmi Yojana on 28 July 2026, providing ₹2,500 per month to women aged 21–60 from households with annual income up to ₹2.5 lakh. With a budget of ₹5,110 crore in 2026-27, the scheme is expected to benefit over 17 lakh women. It has reignited India's national debate on the fiscal sustainability, design, and empowerment effectiveness of Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) schemes for women.