Current Affairs

A study analysed two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) using coronagraph data from India’s Aditya-L1 (first dedicated solar mission; PSLV-C57, 2 September 2023) and ESA’s Proba-3 (PSLV-XL, Sriharikota, 5 December 2024; two spacecraft ~150 m apart creating an artificial eclipse). Instruments: Aditya-L1’s VELC and Proba-3’s ASPIICS. CMEs on 14 Sept 2025 (~645 km/s) and 16 Sept 2025 (~145 km/s) showed differing expansion, density fall, and thermal/kinetic/magnetic energy partition, constraining inner-corona processes relevant for space-weather impacts.

Scientists at BARC developed a chemical method to recover ~90% lithium from seawater (0.17 mg/L; ~230 billion tonnes globally; Mg:Li >6,000). Pretreatment with sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate removes >99% magnesium and calcium while retaining lithium. Dibenzoyl methane in methyl isobutyl ketone extracts lithium; dilute nitric acid strips it for solvent reuse (~100 ml/L). India imports all raw lithium and battery-grade cells; commercialisation needs long-term, energy, cost, marine-impact and foam assessments.

India began a National Red List Assessment of 1,211 regularly occurring (resident and migratory) bird species under the IUCN framework, led by MoEFCC and launched at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, Abu Dhabi, as part of the National Red List Roadmap and Vision 2025-2030. BSI and ZSI lead with IUCN India; SoIB provides citizen-science trend data. By 19 October 2026, 107 species were preliminarily assessed; India targets 11,000+ species by 2030.

India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO added three properties to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List: (1) Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with limestone caves/speleothems and “Jalki” mud volcanoes expelling gas, water and mud; (2) Andaman Subduction Volcanoes at Barren and Narcondam Islands, reflecting Indian Plate subduction under the Burma microplate; Barren has India’s only active volcano; Narcondam is a key biodiversity area; (3) Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape, Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh) on the Mahanadi, with Hindu-Buddhist monuments and stromatolites in the Proterozoic Chhattisgarh Basin.

Experiments show bleached corals can recover when near/in contact with unbleached corals, enabling transfer of symbiotic microalgae (zooxanthellae) and restoring photosynthesis. Bleaching increases internal light stress as light reflects off the white calcium carbonate skeleton; corals produce fluorescent “optical sunscreen” pigments forming a photoprotective layer aiding new symbionts. India’s reefs: Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar, Gulf of Mannar-Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch; marine heatwaves, exacerbated by El Niño, drive stress. Restoration advocates assisted re-symbiosis via nurseries co-culturing donor and bleached corals.

A European bee-eater (Merops apiaster, family Meropidae) was recorded for the first time in Chennai at Broken Bridge near the Adyar River Estuary; the sighting was submitted to eBird and reviewed/accepted. Identified as a juvenile by plumage, yellow throat and dark trailing wing edge; insectivorous (captures flying insects). Blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus) is regular locally. A Eurasian wryneck (Jynx torquilla, Picidae) was also noted; ant/invertebrate feeder with neck-twisting, hissing threat display and camouflage.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery complex, Gujarat, on his second India trip in six months, after talks with EAM S. Jaishankar in Mumbai, amid India-US trade-deal negotiations and friction over Russian oil imports. Jamnagar is the world’s largest single-location complex (1.4 mbpd), with refineries commissioned in 1999 (660,000 bpd) and 2008 (580,000 bpd, SEZ, export-oriented), processing heavy sour crude (216 grades; 68.2 mtpa, 35.2 mtpa exports). Trump-signed law allowing up to 100% tariffs on major Russian-energy buyers was waived; Rubio linked waiver to the nearing trade deal; US is India’s fifth-largest crude supplier.

On Maha Navami (9th day of Dashain), Kathmandu’s Taleju Bhawani Temple opens to devotees; public access is allowed only once annually. Located in Kathmandu Durbar Square (Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage property), it is dedicated to Goddess Taleju Bhawani (a form of Durga). Built in the 16th century by King Mahendra Malla, it reflects Malla-era (12th-18th century) Newar pagoda architecture and Shri Yantra-based layout.

CBD COP17 is held in Yerevan, Armenia, 19–30 October 2026, themed “Taking Action for Nature”, alongside CP-MOP-12 (Cartagena Protocol) and NP-MOP-6 (Nagoya Protocol). At the mid-point to 2030, it conducts the first global stocktake of the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (23 targets by 2030; 4 goals for 2050), addresses implementation gaps, tracking capacity, and biodiversity finance ($200 bn/yr by 2030, incl. $30 bn international), and advances the Cali Fund for benefit-sharing from digital sequence information use.

Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali (autonomous DST institute) developed an electrospun porous PLA-ZnO nanofibre membrane for dye-contaminated wastewater. ZnO nanoparticles (turmeric-extract synthesis using curcumin/flavonoids/phenolics) are immobilised in PLA, integrating photocatalysis with piezocatalysis (light + ultrasonic/mechanical vibrations) to suppress electron–hole recombination. It achieved 98.6% MB and 96.7% CR decolourisation in 120 min; inactivated ~75% E. coli and 71% S. aureus in 6 h. Machine learning predicts performance using wavelength, time, catalyst quantity, ultrasonic frequency, light intensity and dye concentration.

ICAR has developed nutrient-rich coloured potato varieties to enhance daily micronutrient intake through biofortification (nutrient improvement via plant breeding). Kufri Jamunia, an indigenous purple, medium-maturing variety developed by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute, yields 32–35 t/ha (49 t/ha in 90-day station trials), with ~90% marketable yield and 6–8 weeks dormancy. It contains anthocyanins, vitamin C, carotenoids, zinc and iron. Other ICAR varieties: Kufri Neelkanth (released 2018) and Kufri Manik (released 2021).

Junnar Forest Division (Pune, Maharashtra) launched India’s first pilot to control leopard reproduction through immunocontraception. In early October 2026, two female leopards were administered an immunocontraceptive drug and released. Immunocontraception uses an immunological agent to temporarily, non-surgically and potentially reversibly prevent reproduction; monitoring of safety, hormonal changes, behaviour and long-term effects is required to manage populations and reduce human–leopard conflict. Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca; Felidae): IUCN Vulnerable; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 “Endangered”; CITES Appendix I.

Himachal Pradesh improved survival of reintroduced Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii; IUCN Vulnerable; WPA 1972 Schedule I) from 11.11% (2019-20) to 100% (2024-25) via a captive-breeding and reintroduction programme led by Khadiyun Cheer Pheasant Breeding Centre, Chail (Solan). Total 77 birds released; during Wildlife Week 2026, 12 (2M, 2F, 8 chicks) released near Koti, Shimla, using parent-rearing, soft release, VHF radio-telemetry and camera traps; threats include grassland degradation, fires and overgrazing.

Astronomers identified WD J1330+6435, an unusual chartreuse-green white dwarf about 280 light-years away in the constellation Draco. White dwarfs are super-dense, Earth-sized remnant cores of low- to medium-mass stars; temperatures can be ~4,000°C. Light-year equals ~9.46 trillion km; its light takes ~280 years to reach Earth. Green colour was inferred using spectral data and human colour-perception models; sodium–helium interactions (with calcium affecting spectrum) alter absorbed wavelengths.

Indian Navy is hosting Swavlamban 2026, its flagship Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar (5th edition), as a 2-day event at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. It links indigenous technologies to maritime domain and operational requirements. Stakeholders include innovators, industry, startups, MSMEs, academia, investors and Defence Forces. Exhibition covers maritime surveillance, counter-UAS, AI, quantum, NBCD and safety systems. Supported by GoI, MoD, SIDM and Defence Innovation Organisation; ~3,000 participated last year; 100+ stalls expected.

India hosted the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML), organised by the Department of Consumer Affairs with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). OIML (established 1955; HQ Paris) is an intergovernmental standard-setting body promoting harmonised legal metrology and model regulations for measuring instruments; its Conference meets every 4 years. CIML guides technical/administrative work. OIML has 63 Member States and 66 Corresponding Members; India joined in 1956, signed the metric convention, and can issue internationally accepted OIML certificates (13 countries); OIML Pattern Approval is mandatory for international sales.

UNCTAD report on biodiversity-based trade flags unequal benefit-sharing: Africa and Latin America & Caribbean hold nearly two-thirds of global biodiversity but only 14% of 2024 biodiversity-based product exports. It urges sustainable production, more domestic processing and market access, and highlights valuing residues (Kenya pineapple-leaf fibre; Uganda banana-stem yarn; coconut coir ropes). Released ahead of UN Biodiversity Conference, Yerevan (Armenia), 19–30 Oct 2026, under CBD; Kunming–Montreal GBF (COP15, Montreal, Dec 2022) targets halting loss by 2030 (23 targets; 4 goals-2050; $700 bn finance gap; Target 3 “30-by-30”).

Habitat fragmentation is division of continuous habitat into isolated patches due to highways/expressways, railway expansion, dams, mining, other infrastructure, and forest conversion to plantations/settlements. Impacts include roadkill, restricted access to food/mates/breeding sites, human–wildlife conflict, and local extinctions. Mitigation uses canopy/rope bridges (arboreal), and overpasses, underpasses, green bridges/ecoducts (terrestrial). Examples: Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary (Assam) rail line; Valparai (Tamil Nadu); rope bridges in Melghat Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra); Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Sanctuary; Netherlands overpasses.

Centre proposes a GST Standing Committee with representatives from 12 states; permanent members: Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Mandate: expand GST tax base, identify unregistered businesses, improve disclosures, and curb leakages via technology/data analytics; Centre to provide analytics/IT support; ~17 million registered taxpayers. B2C e-invoicing expected from 1 April; GSTN to introduce a customer invoice-generation app; incentives likely. GST is a destination-based value-added indirect tax (implemented 1 July 2017) under the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016; key provisions: Articles 246A, 269A, 279A, 270 and 366(12A) (excludes alcohol); GST Council chaired by Union Finance Minister; CGST/SGST/UTGST/IGST.

ISRO completed Crew Module–Service Module (CM–SM) separation tests for the first uncrewed Gaganyaan (G1) mission, targeted in 2026, validating design reliability and shock tolerance. The setup at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram, tested sequenced events using pyrotechnics, jettisoning and umbilical severing, plus avionics, inertial navigation, thermal protection/heat shield, deployable umbilical shield and uprighting. CM returns; SM supports; recovery splashdown in Indian waters. Gaganyaan targets 3 astronauts to ~400 km for 3 days.

A CDRI study with DoT and NDMA assessed telecom tower vulnerability to cyclones, floods, landslides, storm surges and seismic risk in Assam, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. Tamil Nadu: 48,416 towers; 57% high/very high cyclonic winds, 33% flood, ~14% storm surges >6 m. Assam: 18,388; 83% very high winds, 43% high flood, 5% high landslides; all towers in Assam and Uttarakhand lie in seismic Zones IV–V. Exposure need not imply damage; outages, fibre cuts, road damage and fuel shortages also disrupt services.

IPCC faces a deadlock on scheduling its next three assessment reports: a proposal targets completion by September 2028, ahead of UN climate talks in November 2028, while India and others seek extending Working Group II and III reports to 2029 for inclusive developing-country participation. IPCC (1988; WMO-UNEP; HQ Geneva; 195 members) assesses existing science (not policy/policy-prescribing). Reports inform negotiations, including Paris Agreement: WGI physical science; WGII impacts/adaptation; WGIII mitigation.

A study in The Planetary Science Journal (October 2026) identifies over 10,000 young lunar faults using NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) images, linking them to the Moon’s gradual cooling and contraction. The Moon’s radius has shrunk ~45 m over 400 million years (6–11 cm per million years), forming lobate scarps; fault slippage can trigger moonquakes across the single-plate surface, informing Artemis mission safety. The giant-impact hypothesis is noted.

The Supreme Court recognised children’s fundamental right to access and use the internet under Articles 21 (life and personal liberty) and 19(1)(a) (speech and expression), applicable irrespective of age. It held blanket bans disproportionate and ineffective, favouring targeted safeguards like parental consent, guidance and supervision, and child-mode accounts with age-appropriate moderation. Excessive restrictions may drive use of unregulated platforms and deter abuse reporting. POCSO Act, 2012 provides a legal framework; key stakeholders include intermediaries, law enforcement, MeitY, parents and courts.

A study identifies terrestrial geological formations in Tamil Nadu, India, and Chile’s Atacama Desert as prime Martian analogue sites for planetary exploration preparation, rover testing and astrobiological detection protocol validation. Martian analogues replicate Mars-like aridity, high UV, mineralogy and volcanic basements. Tamil Nadu’s ultramafic/basaltic rocks and secondary clays/iron oxides mirror basaltic crust and aqueous alteration. Atacama’s hyper-aridity, extreme UV and perchlorate soils mimic regolith chemistry, aiding India’s rover concepts, autonomous navigation, drill assemblies and biosignature studies, with collaboration among ISRO, PRL and academia.

Kunming Institute of Botany researchers, with international collaborators, reported a new giant fungus, Dianjunus rex (“D-Rex”), from Yunnan, China (temperate coniferous forests and tropical rainforests). It establishes a new genus and family, Dianjunaceae, within order Xylariales. Molecular clock analysis indicates divergence ~65 million years ago, post K-Pg extinction. Stromata are Ascomycota’s largest; specimens are 20–50 cm, usually 250–600 g (max 2.2 kg). It emerges from roots/soil of recently dead trees; hypothesised endophyte-to-saprotroph.