PIB Snippets
4 Quick Facts
UPSC Prelims & Mains
PIB Snippets — October 18, 2026
Today’s quick facts — FSSAI’s draft ban on added sugar in infant foods, connecting Kashmir by rail, road and air, the trade margin cap on 137 anti-cancer drugs, and Exercise Konkan-26
🍼
FSSAI Draft Ban on Added Sugar in Infant Foods
Why in News
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a ban on adding sucrose and fructose to food products meant for infants up to six months.
More on the News
- The draft Foods for Infant Nutrition Amendment Regulations, 2026 amends the 2020 Regulations.
- It says sucrose and fructose shall not be added to products for infants up to 6 months.
- The public can send objections and suggestions within 60 days.
Key Facts — About the existing rules
- The 2020 Regulations set composition, quality and safety standards for infant nutrition products for children from birth up to 24 months.
- Lactose and glucose polymers are the preferred carbohydrate sources.
- Sucrose and/or fructose may be added only when required, within prescribed limits.
About the reasons for the change
- The first six months are a critical period for growth and development.
- Early exposure to added sugars can shape dietary preferences and long-term eating habits. It is also linked to childhood obesity and related health problems.
- The measure supports public health advice for exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months.
Note: FSSAI is the food regulator under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, set up under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Mains Angle
- It is a preventive nutrition step that targets food habits and childhood obesity early in life.
- It supports exclusive breastfeeding, but the rule on its own cannot ensure healthy infant feeding.
- Success depends on compliance by manufacturers, clear labelling and awareness among parents.
Conclusion: The draft sets a stricter standard for infant foods and supports healthy feeding in the first six months of life.
Source: PIB
🚆
Connecting Kashmir: Rail, Road and Air Infrastructure
Why in News
- New rail, road and air projects are linking J&K to the rest of India and ending its seasonal isolation. They give local farmers and traders wider markets and boost tourism.
Key Facts — Railways
- The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) was inaugurated in June 2025. Runs 272 km, with 36 tunnels and 943 bridges.
- The Chenab Rail Bridge in Reasi is the world’s highest railway arch bridge, standing 359 m above the riverbed.
- The Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge, and Tunnel T50 (12.77 km) is India’s longest transportation tunnel.
- Vande Bharat trains run from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar in under five hours.
Roads and tunnels
- The Sonamarg Tunnel (6.4 km) opened in January 2025 and gives all-weather links to Sonamarg.
- The Zojila Tunnel (13.153 km) reached its main breakthrough in June 2026. It will give year-round links to Ladakh and cut the Sonamarg–Minamarg journey from about two hours to 30 minutes.
- The Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway (667 km) has opened in sections and cuts the Delhi–Katra trip from about 14 hours to six.
Air and logistics
- Expansion of the Srinagar airport was approved in February 2026, and Udhampur and Kishtwar airports are planned under UDAN.
- PM Gati Shakti puts rail, road, ports and airports on one GIS-based planning platform. A cargo terminal at Samba is already working.
Mains Angle
- All-weather connectivity helps tourism, trade and farmers selling apples, saffron and handicrafts to national markets.
- It also supports defence logistics and disaster response in border areas.
- Difficult terrain, avalanches and seismic risk make projects costly and need careful environmental planning.
Conclusion: Rail, road and air links now work as one network that ties Kashmir to India’s economy.
Source: PIB
💊
Trade Margin Cap on 137 Anti-Cancer Drugs
Why in News
- The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped the trade margin on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at 30% of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). MRPs may fall by up to 70%.
Key Facts
- NPPA: A body under the Department of Pharmaceuticals that fixes and revises drug prices.
- Non-scheduled drugs: Drugs outside the National List of Essential Medicines, so their prices are not directly fixed.
- 2019 pilot: The margin on 42 anti-cancer drugs was capped at 30%, and MRPs of 526 brands fell by up to 90%.
Mains Angle
- Affordability: Lower prices reduce the out-of-pocket cost of cancer care.
- Supply risk: Manufacturers must keep supply steady to avoid shortages.
- Enforcement: Hospitals buy directly from manufacturers, so compliance by hospitals and State Drug Controllers is key.
Conclusion: The margin cap can make cancer drugs cheaper if it is enforced well and supply continues.
Source: PIB
⚓
Exercise Konkan-26 Concludes Off Plymouth
Why in News
- Konkan-26, the India–UK bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy, concluded off Plymouth, UK, on 15 October 2026.
Key Facts
- Type: A bilateral naval exercise between India and the UK.
- Ships: India sent the stealth frigate INS Trishul. The UK sent HMS Sutherland, a Duke-class anti-submarine warfare frigate.
- Conducted by: Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) of the Royal Navy.
- Drills: Seamanship manoeuvres, joint tactical drills, communication procedures, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and weapon firings.
- Aim: To improve interoperability and strengthen the India–UK maritime partnership.
Source: PIB
