Current Affairs

Researchers reported a new lichen species, Buellia maharajensis, from Mathikettan Shola National Park, Idukki district, Kerala (Western Ghats). It belongs to family Caliciaceae (genus Buellia) and is saxicolous, growing on rocks. A fungus–photobiont symbiosis, it was recorded near 1,351 m in montane wet grassland/rocky outcrops. Named for Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam (150th anniversary), it is the park’s 4th new lichen; Buellia hemisphaerica and B. nilgiriensis are new Kerala records.

Google DeepMind launched AlphaGenome Atlas, a free web portal and API giving academic researchers access to a ~1-petabyte precomputed database predicting functional/molecular effects of 9 billion single-nucleotide variants across the human genome (2% coding, 98% non-coding). It assesses promoters, enhancers and chromatin accessibility, provides an AlphaGenome Variant Impact score (with AlphaMissense), catalogues 2,500+ motifs, maps effects across human/mouse cell models, and supports rare-disease/drug-target research; not a direct clinical tool.

Researchers at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) developed a bi-layered single-piece dental implant integrating Ti6Al4V titanium alloy and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Spark Plasma Sintering (tapered graphite die) enabled single-step densification to 99.5% density with stable crack-free ceramic–metal interface. Properties: 1350 HV, ~1550 MPa compressive, ~310 MPa flexural; biocompatibility: >90% MTT activity, negligible hemolysis. It reduces 2–3 conventional surgeries, supports scalable indigenous implants under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) launched the indigenous ocean research vessel ‘Sagar Manthan’ for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences-led Deep Ocean Mission (DOM); it is expected to be operational by early 2028. It will support deep-sea exploration, oceanography and geophysical surveys (multibeam, seismic, sub-bottom up to 6 km), deploy AUVs/ROVs, operate from the Indian Ocean to Antarctica, and aid DOM’s six themes including mining, climate services, biodiversity, survey/exploration, ocean energy/freshwater and marine biology station, including exploration of manganese nodules and polymetallic sulphides.

MoSPI is revising India’s GDP growth rates (including back to 2023-24) following methodology changes in the 2022-23 base-year series released in February 2026 (base shifted from 2011-12). Quarterly GDP uses a benchmark-indicator approach; annual estimates use actual output data. MoSPI adopted double deflation and shifted deflators to Producer Price Index (factory-gate prices excluding taxes/margins), using 300+ deflators (vs ~180). Q4 FY26 growth was revised from 7.8% to 8.6%; input PPI is trial-stage for manufacturing only.

UN General Assembly adopted a Togo-led, non-binding resolution urging a shift from the Mercator projection to the Equal Earth projection for world maps/classrooms. It was backed by 164 countries including India; the US voted against; six abstained. Mercator (1569, Gerardus Mercator) is conformal and exaggerates areas near poles. Equal Earth (2018) is equal-area, with curved meridians, suited for thematic/statistical maps. India supported while insisting correct depiction of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Coastal Local Area Bank Ltd, headquartered in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), has been accorded Scheduled Bank status. Under Section 42(6) of the RBI Act, 1934, criteria include inclusion in the Second Schedule, minimum paid-up capital and collected funds of ₹5 lakh, and compliance/inspection under RBI norms and the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Local area banks require ₹5 crore initial paid-up capital. Scheduled status enables RBI refinancing, clearing-house membership, and higher depositor confidence, aiding CASA and deposit-cost reduction.

Researchers at CeNS Bengaluru, IISER Kolkata and JNCASR Bengaluru developed a peptide-based piezoelectric biomaterial for biomedical use. Piezoelectricity is charge generation under mechanical stress. They found identical peptide chemistry shows different functionality with molecular arrangement: in water it self-assembles into nanofibers with no detectable response, while ~1% co-solvent induces supramolecular reorganisation with strong response. Characterisation used AFM, FESEM and computational simulations; applications include implantable sensors, electronic skin, wearables and energy harvesting from body movements.

India’s first genome-wide endometriosis study identified 21 genetic regions potentially linked to the disease in Indian women, suggesting genetic susceptibility. Endometriosis involves endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus, causing inflammation, scarring, severe period pain, chronic pelvic pain and infertility; it can occur from menarche to menopause and affects ~10% women of reproductive age (~190 million globally), with no definitive cure. The ECGRI initiative, spanning 18 centres, created a clinical-genomic dataset and biorepository using surgically confirmed cases and controls, aiding mechanisms, earlier recognition, non-invasive diagnostics and personalised treatment.

Recent eruptions of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau (“Child of Krakatoa”) in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra disrupted air travel. Part of the historic Krakatoa volcanic system, it reflects persistent Sunda Arc volcanism. Indonesia has over 100 active volcanoes, the world’s highest concentration; Smithsonian GVP lists Indonesia, the US and Japan as having most active volcanoes. Volcanism relates to the Pacific Ring of Fire (horseshoe around the Pacific), dominated by subduction-zone plate boundaries. Indonesia lies at the Indo-Australian, Eurasian (Sunda) and Pacific plates’ intersection, heightening earthquake, eruption and tsunami risks.

Banaras Hindu University is systematically documenting 10,000+ artefacts from Rajghat, on Varanasi’s north-eastern outskirts near the Ganga-Varuna confluence, identified as the urban core/capital of ancient Kashi Janapada. Occupation spans pre-NBPW early Iron Age (~800 BCE) to Gupta period, with seals (some Greek), punch-marked coins, iron tools, ivory, terracotta and jars. Rajghat evidences Second Urbanisation and anchors ceramic dating; 1960s human remains face DNA/isotope analysis.

PSLV will launch the Indo-French TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment) Earth observation mission next year, jointly by ISRO and CNES. It will monitor surface temperature, emissivity, biophysical and radiation variables for energy budgeting, water stress/use, water quality, urban heat islands, thermal anomalies, snow-melt and glacier dynamics, and aerosols/water vapour/clouds. Payloads: CNES four-channel TIR sensor and ISRO 7-band VNIR-SWIR. Sun-synchronous orbit 761 km; resolution 57 m (land/coast), 1 km (ocean/polar); 5-year life; supports GEOGLAM, SDGs, Global Water Watch; outputs EAVs/ECVs.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the last three sections (New Sanand-New Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale, New Saphale-New JNPT) at Vadodara, completing the 1,506-km Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (JNPT, Navi Mumbai-Dadri, UP) with direct port connectivity. With EDFC (1,337 km; Ludhiana-Sonnagar) fully commissioned in Oct 2023, India’s DFC network is 2,843 km. Implemented by DFCCIL (SPV, 2006), funded by World Bank (₹14,900 crore), JICA (₹38,722 crore) and budgetary support.

The U.K. has officially recognised India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) under its carbon tax mechanism, affecting treatment of Indian carbon credits, exporters, and India-UK carbon market cooperation. CCTS, notified under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, is managed by the Ministry of Power and administered by BEE. It prices GHG emissions via tradable Carbon Credit Certificates (1 metric ton CO2e), with compliance and voluntary offset mechanisms, replacing PAT and underpinning the Indian Carbon Market. Recognition may lower CBAM-related costs, avoid double carbon charging, and improve export competitiveness.

A Siditale hero stone was found at Barakuru (Barkur), Udupi district, Karnataka, during an epigraphical survey at the Panchalingeshwara Temple (southern end of the town). Barakuru, on the Sita river near the Arabian Sea, was a port-commercial centre since 2nd century BC, with Mesolithic/Megalithic evidence and foreign maritime trade. Alupas made it their capital (10th-11th century AD); later it was Hoysala and Vijayanagara provincial HQ with a fort. The town had 10 “Keris”, once 365 temples, a Jain settlement, and over 100 stone plus several copper-plate inscriptions (Alupa-Keladi periods).

ICMR-NICPR study found nicotine pouches entering Indian cities via online platforms, hookah shops and gig delivery; WHO warned (May 2026) of health dangers. Pouches are tobacco-free sachets (nicotine, flavourings, plant fibres) placed between lip and gum. Legal status unclear: not listed under COTPA, 2003; Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 disputed (DCGI approves patches/gums; Schedule K exempts <2 mg gums/lozenges); PECA, 2019 inapplicable. Imports regulated under FTDR Act, 1992 (DGFT ITC-HS) and Customs Act, 1962 (Section 11); WCO HS update created oral nicotine codes; ITC-HS 2404 91 30 “restricted”. Duty-free shops (Customs Act Section 58) per Calcutta HC (2024) are deemed outside India; pouches sold at some airports though not on permitted list unless classified as food.

UNGA-endorsed UN world map (base draft by UN Geospatial, 1 July 2026; resolution passed 4 September 2026) depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin between Indian and Chinese lines; Jammu & Kashmir shows LoC dotted line; Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura reflects India’s administrative control. “Correct the Map” (Togo, backed by African Union) adopts Equal Earth equal-area projection. Map is non-binding but a reference; MEA said India’s vote supported equal-area mapping, not boundary endorsement, and inaccurate depictions are unacceptable.

India joined a US-led international 6G development initiative with 24 other countries after the G20 Innovation Ministerial Meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (US). It aims to build future telecom networks aligned with collective security, technological competitiveness and innovation, including access to global ecosystems, standard-setting, R&D collaboration, stronger network security, a robust semiconductor ecosystem, opportunities for Indian tech firms and reduced dependence on single foreign suppliers. India-US cooperation covers 6G, semiconductors, AI, data centres and emerging technologies; the G20 Innovation Ministerial Statement was adopted, emphasising emerging technologies, prosperity, productivity, economic opportunities and quality of life.

Indonesia’s 2026 fire season saw early peat fires as strengthening El Nino and drought dried wetlands, enabling smouldering, flameless underground combustion lasting months. Peatlands are waterlogged, oxygen-poor wetlands accumulating organic peat; they cover ~3% of land yet store ~30% global soil carbon (twice forests). Indonesia has ~36% tropical peatlands (Kalimantan, Sumatra, Papua; peat >20 m in Kalimantan). Haze drove “unhealthy” air across Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines; indices neared 75× WHO limits. NASA: peat fires emit 3× PM2.5, 5× SO2 and high CO, raising respiratory illness.

A study in peer-reviewed journal Icarus reconstructs an ancient Martian flood originating from the Valles Marineris canyon system using two-dimensional hydraulic modelling. It estimates ~1,245 trillion cubic metres water release, potentially raising the mean level of a hypothesised ancient Martian ocean by ~34 metres. Valles Marineris, the Solar System’s largest canyon (>4,000 km; equatorial), likely hosted paleolakes (ancient lakes). Evidence includes valleys, basins, sediments, deltas, channels, and Oceanus Borealis (hypothesised northern-lowlands ocean).

Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) data show alternative fuel passenger vehicles (PVs) exceeded petrol/ethanol PVs in India’s retail sales for the first time: alternative powertrains 41.95% vs petrol/ethanol 40.85%; diesel 17.21%. Alternative split: CNG 25.28% (largest), strong/plug-in hybrids ~9%, EVs 7.63%. In Aug 2025, petrol led alternatives by 11 points. Drivers include fuel costs and E20 rollout concerns. Rural PV sales rose 24.99% YoY vs urban 10.93%. Total EV sales (all segments) were 2.98 lakh units, up 52.9% YoY.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva (Switzerland), warned that El Nino may intensify through 2027, raising risks of extreme weather, agricultural stress and economic instability, amid unusually warm ocean waters. El Nino involves warming in the central/eastern tropical Pacific, weakened trade winds and eastward warm-water shift; in India, weaker southwest monsoon, droughts, heatwaves. La Nina is cooling with stronger trade winds, often strengthening monsoon and flood risk. Above-average June-August temperatures are forecast globally.

FAO’s August 2026 technical brief “Traditional herbal medicines as alternatives to antimicrobials in the livestock sector” notes traditional herbal medicines (plant-based extracts with multiple active compounds) and ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) as anti-infective options to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use. Challenges include limited evidence, variability, poor standardisation, safety and regulatory gaps. In India, NDDB’s alternate methods project in 8 states targets 1.1 million EVM interventions by March 2025 with >80% reported success; DAHD recommends EVM in treatment guidelines and trains farmers.

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has crossed ₹200 crore in cumulative disbursements under India’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework, under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for research and commercial use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. Recent ABS proceeds relate to bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion, involving Nunhems India, East-West Seeds India and Bayer Science and Innovation. SBBs/UT Councils must use funds per Section 32(2) for PBRs, in-situ/ex-situ conservation, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity heritage sites, capacity-building and local livelihoods, aligned with CBD, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal GBF (Target 13).

Bhutan is the first in WHO South-East Asia Region to be validated for eliminating dog-mediated rabies deaths as a public health problem. WHO requires zero human deaths for ≥2 consecutive years and capacity to prevent re-emergence. Rabies is a viral zoonosis mainly spread via dog bites; India’s National Rabies Control Programme targets zero dog-mediated human deaths by 2030. Bhutan used One Health with mass dog vaccination, surveillance and PEP.

Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gujarat, commissioned India’s first spherical tokamak and began plasma experiments. A tokamak confines extremely hot plasma using strong magnetic fields, as fusion-temperature plasma cannot be contained by material walls. India joins global spherical tokamak research; examples include UK MAST-U/ST40/STEP, US NSTX-U, Japan QUEST; programmes also in China, South Korea, Russia, Italy and Spain. Benefits: continuous low-carbon power, no chain reaction, inherent safety and advances in magnets/materials.