Current Affairs

Government unveiled Nuclear Energy Mission roadmap targeting 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, including five indigenous Small Modular Reactors by 2033. BARC is developing BSMR-200 (220 MW), SMR-55 (55 MW) and HTGCR (up to 5 MW thermal) enabling hydrogen via thermochemical processes (copper-chlorine cycle). SHANTI Act, 2025 opens generation/research to private firms, promotes indigenous advanced reactors, grants statutory status to AERB and strengthens its independence. Safety adopts redundancy, diversity and defence-in-depth; oversight by NPCIL and AERB. Waste management follows 1987 Rules and AERB codes, with segregation, treatment, engineered storage and continuous monitoring.

In June 2026, 672 captive-bred Asian Houbara bustards (Chlamydotis macqueenii) were released in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan in the Aral Sea–Aralkum Desert region, under a multi-nation initiative to restore degraded drylands around the former Aral Sea. Bred at a UAE (Sheikh Mansour) facility in Kazakhstan, releases were supervised by Uzbekistan’s National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and CITES experts. The Vulnerable species is listed under CITES and CMS Appendix I; key threats include Aral desiccation (Soviet river diversions since the 1960s), poaching and loss of stopovers.

During Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, the U.S. Army conducted its first forward deployment of the Dark Eagle Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) to Guam (Western Pacific), placing a ground-launched hypersonic system within striking distance of China’s eastern seaboard. Dark Eagle is a conventional, two-stage boost-glide missile (>Mach 5; ~2,775–3,500 km) using the Common-Hypersonic Glide Body. A battery has four TEL trucks (eight missiles) and a mobile operations center, enabling rapid strikes on high-value targets across the Taiwan Strait/South China Sea; China fields DF-17 and DF-27.

IREL (India) Ltd, DMRL and BARC assessed India’s Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) demand as the REPM Scheme targets a fully integrated domestic ecosystem for high-strength sintered magnets, reducing 90–95% import dependence (mainly China). Outlay ₹7,280 crore includes ₹6,450 crore sales-linked incentives (5 years) and ₹750 crore capital subsidy. It creates 6,000 MTPA capacity, allocated to 5 beneficiaries (up to 1,200 MTPA) via global competitive bidding, over 7 years (2-year gestation + 5-year incentives), mandating the oxide–metal–alloy–finished magnet value chain. Demand is projected at 8,220 MTPA by 2030, driven by EVs (3,250), wind (1,800), BLDC fans (980), electronics/smartphones (600); strategic risks affect missiles, drones, radars, clean energy and advanced electronics, including aerospace and defence equipment.

Government of India uses satellite/geospatial technologies in Ladakh to monitor glaciers, glacial lakes, snowfall, water resources and landslides; ISRO/Department of Space has run multiple projects over the last 5 years for monitoring, modelling and alert generation. Key initiatives: Cryosphere Science and Applications Programme (CAP); Ladakh Specific Modelling and Space Applications (LAMA); SILAAS since 2023 under ISRO-DMSP; National Hydrology Project (2017–2025) under Ministry of Jal Shakti; and Geo-Ladakh SDI geoportal/database with capacity building.

Government is expanding integrated technology-based justice systems to improve speed, efficiency and transparency across police, evidence, courts, prisons, prosecution and forensics. CCTNS computerises FIR-to-charge-sheet and criminal records with Nyaya Sanhita compliance alerts; ICJS enables electronic exchange among police, courts, prisons, forensics and prosecution; ITSSO tracks sexual-offence investigations; e-Sakshya preserves digital evidence; e-Summons digitises process service; MedLEaPR supports medico-legal/postmortem reporting; Nyay Shruti enables video-conferencing; e-Forensic automates labs; e-Prison is cloud-based; e-Prosecution aids coordination; NAFIS provides real-time fingerprint matching.

Danube River levels in northern Bulgaria hit a historic low, exposing the riverbed and mammoth remains. Europe’s 2nd-longest river after the Volga, it runs 2,850 km from the Brigach–Breg confluence near Donaueschingen (Black Forest, Germany) through Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, draining to the Black Sea via the Danube Delta (4,300 sq km, Tulcea, Romania), a young UNESCO World Heritage Site growing 24–30 m/year. Tributaries: Inn, Drava, Sava, Tisza, Prut, Siret; capitals: Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade; Rhine–Main–Danube Canal links Rotterdam to Sulina (3,500 km inland waterway).

Supreme Court quashed the Centre’s 2021 Office Memorandum permitting ex post facto environmental clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It held any future amnesty must be through a statutory notification, not an administrative order, and be a narrow, time-bound, supervised window only for projects of supervening public interest under the 2006 EIA framework mandating prior EC. OM failed proportionality; violated Articles 14 and 21. Ruling is prospective under Article 142.

MoSPI has revised the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year from 2012=100 to 2024=100, expanding market coverage and using updated consumption weights from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24. CPI 2024 series inflation data will be available from January 2026; CPI 2012 series data up to December 2025. Direct comparison across series is not feasible; rural house rent is newly included. CPI is India’s headline retail inflation indicator used by RBI.

Venezuela formally notified the UN of its “irrevocable” decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), while ongoing probes and proceedings, including alleged crimes against humanity in Venezuela, continue unaffected until withdrawal takes effect. Chad also announced plans to exit, after Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. ICC (seat: The Hague) was established in 2002 under the Rome Statute to prosecute core international crimes under specified jurisdictional conditions.

Comet 10P/Tempel 2, a periodic comet discovered in 1873, has returned and is again observable from Earth after about 5.5 years; it completes one orbit around the Sun every 5.5 years and was last sighted in 2021. Visibility depends on its closeness to Earth and position relative to the Sun. Brightness peaks near the Sun as ice vaporises, forming coma and tail. Best viewing: dark, clear, moonless night away from city lights.

Malvi camel, one of India’s 9 officially recognised camel breeds, is near extinction with only 102 animals. Animal geneticists treat breeds with <300 breeding females as endangered; Malvi, Mewari and Mewati fall in this category. Malvi is white-coated, smallest, yields ~4–5 kg milk/cycle, used for draft/transport/light farming, found in Malwa (MP) and Hadoti–Kota belt (Rajasthan). Threats include mechanisation, livelihood shifts and loss of grazing commons.

Henley Passport Index 2026 (20th Anniversary Edition) ranks 199 passports across 227 destinations using IATA data, by visa-free access including visa-on-arrival and ETA; standard e-visas needing prior approval are excluded. July 2026: Singapore ranks 1 (192); Japan, South Korea and UAE joint 2 (188); Afghanistan last (25). India ranks 81 with 55 visa-free/VOA (down from 56 after Cape Verde removal); 2026 ranks: Jan 80, Feb 75, Jun 80, Jul 81; 2006 rank 71; lowest 90/91 in 2021.

Andhra Pradesh ranked 2nd in India in mangrove plantation under the Centre’s MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) scheme. The state is undertaking large-scale mangrove development through the Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh initiative and using the Fish Bone Technique to improve tidal water circulation, raise survival rates, and enhance ecological resilience. Andhra Pradesh has a 1,053-km coastline.

NASA selected PRAXIS (Planetary Rings Autonomous EXploration with In-situ Sampling) for NIAC 2026 Phase I funding. The concept enables in-situ sampling by touching, collecting and analysing millimetre-to-centimetre ring particles around Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and ringed Centaurs (Chariklo, Chiron). To avoid collision hazards in dense ring planes, it uses autonomous robotics and AI to graze the ring plane, bridging Cassini’s lack of direct particle analysis. Phase I supports simulations/design refinement; Phase II prototypes.

India is strengthening the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Hepatitis is liver inflammation due to viruses, toxins or autoimmune causes; main viral strains are A, B, C, D and E. NVHCP targets Hepatitis B/C via free nationwide screening, diagnostics and antivirals, decentralised primary-care delivery, affordable generics/local funds, and integration with RCH and injection-safety protocols; aligned with SDG 3.3. Chronic B/C can cause cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.

Environment Ministry reissued the 7th draft Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notification (in a decade), keeping July 2024 area, state-wise extent and regulatory provisions unchanged; objections invited for 60 days. Proposed ESA: 56,825.7 sq km across Karnataka (largest share), Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Gujarat. Prohibits mining/quarrying/sand mining, new thermal plants, certain industries, large construction; regulates hydel and other projects; 2022 expert committee examines village-inclusion disputes (e.g., 13 Wayanad villages). Western Ghats are UNESCO World Heritage and biodiversity hotspot; Gadgil (2011) and Kasturirangan (2013) reports cited.

A Nature Food study estimates paddy-field GHG emissions have doubled since the 1960s. Global paddy fields emit ~1.1 billion tonnes CO2-e annually, a 90.4% rise from 1961–80; about half the increase is from soil organic carbon loss. Methane hotspots include India, especially eastern paddy fields; India’s irrigated paddies emit ~3.9 Mt methane/year (over Germany’s annual). Emissions may rise ~26% (2031–50). India has no agriculture-emission goals; improved irrigation, fertiliser optimisation, residue management and reduced tillage could cut global rice emissions ~10% by mid-century.

Using AEROsol Robotic NETwork (AERONET) ground-based sun-photometer data (established 1993 by NASA and PHOTONS, CNRS/University of Lille), researchers analysed 171 sites across six continents over 30+ years. Seven aerosol types were classified: PD, DDM, PDM, VWA, WA, MA, SA. SA shows highest atmospheric forcing; VWA lowest. South Asia’s DDM yields highest ARF/heating; North Africa PD; Europe/North America less-absorbing; tropics SA. Findings aid retrieval algorithms and pollution-impact assessment.

India’s 8th Trade Policy Review (TPR) was held at the WTO in Geneva. A key WTO transparency mechanism, TPR enables peer review of members’ trade policies. For India, it is conducted every 5 years by the Trade Policy Review Body (all WTO members) and covers 1 January 2021–31 December 2025, based on India’s policy statement and a WTO Secretariat report. India’s combined goods-services exports rose from USD 676.5 billion (2021-22) to USD 863.1 billion (2025-26), a 6.3% increase, with focus on FTAs, GST rationalisation and digital initiatives like UPI.

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia signed a “123 Agreement” package comprising a civil nuclear cooperation agreement and a bilateral nuclear safeguards agreement under the U.S. Atomic Energy Act, 1954. Reported as a 30-year multi-billion-dollar deal, it enables transfer of civil nuclear materials, technology and equipment and allows uranium enrichment on Saudi soil at a U.S.-built facility. It is tied to Saudi joining the Abraham Accords/normalising ties with Israel; includes exclusive U.S. company participation (e.g., Westinghouse). It reportedly excludes the “Gold Standard” safeguards and the IAEA Additional Protocol.

Scientists at SASTRA Deemed University developed electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) using a nanofluid electrolyte and waste-derived catalysts. ZABs (metal-air) generate electricity via zinc oxidation at anode and oxygen reduction at air cathode, often with an aqueous electrolyte; advantages include high theoretical energy density, abundant zinc and safer water-based chemistry. Silica and zinc oxide nanoparticles reduce corrosion and improve oxygen kinetics, avoiding costly inhibitors. Used water filters provide carbon components; old face masks yield carbon catalysts comparable to platinum.

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting notified the Television Ratings Policy, 2026, replacing 2014 guidelines. It revises eligibility, measurement, auditing and compliance for TV rating services, lowering net worth criterion from ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore. It enables technology-neutral multi-platform measurement (including connected TVs and OTT-carried channels), expands metered homes from 50,000 to 80,000, mandates 3-yearly establishment surveys, excludes landing pages from viewership computation, requires annual independent audits, introduces graded penalties, and imposes no cap on registered rating agencies.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (headed by the Prime Minister) authorised the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan (BHAVYA-Rasayan) Scheme to set up three dedicated chemical parks via a challenge route, developed by states with Centre facilitation. Centre grant: up to ₹1,000 crore per park, subject to minimum ₹500 crore state contribution. Parks (greenfield/brownfield) will offer plug-and-play common utilities (CETP, TSDF, water, solvent recovery, steam, pipelines, logistics) to strengthen the value chain and improve environmental compliance.

The Indian Army received a demonstration of Bhargavastra, an indigenous counter-swarm drone system developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd. under the Make-II programme. It is a vehicle-mounted, network-linked architecture with C2 vehicle (radar), EO/IR sensors and passive RF detectors, plus launcher vehicle. It detects large UAVs up to 10 km and small drones up to 6 km, operates in deserts and >5,000 m terrain, and neutralises via unguided micro-rockets, guided micro-missiles (2.5 km) and electronic jamming, with EW resilience and integration with existing networks.

ICMM Report 2026 by the International Council on Mining and Metals finds nearly two-thirds of global mining and metals facilities face at least one significant physical water risk, based on >12,000 facilities across 148 countries/regions. It assesses floods, droughts, baseline water stress/depletion and interannual variability. Baseline water stress affects 38% and drought 27%. Hotspots include Chile, Peru, southern Africa, northern China, central India, western Australia and western US; flood exposure is high for alumina, aluminium, steel and molybdenum. ICMM (founded 2001) is CEO-led on sustainable development.