Current Affairs

The United States and Saudi Arabia authorised a 30-year peaceful civil nuclear cooperation pact under a Section 123 Agreement of the US Atomic Energy Act, to take effect only if Saudi Arabia joins the US-brokered Abraham Accords. A Section 123 Agreement is a mandatory legal prerequisite for US transfer of nuclear materials, reactors, equipment, technology or fuel for civilian purposes; India has one signed in 2008.

Navies are prioritising autonomous maritime systems for undersea warfare and multi-domain operations: UUVs, USVs and ship-launched UAVs. UUVs can be deployed/recovered via submarine torpedo tubes; USVs may carry vertical launch systems; UAVs enable ISR/targeting. Focus is protection of subsea cables/pipelines and secure second-strike deterrence. India commissioned INS Arihant and Arighat; pursues Project 75(I) AIP submarines and Project 77 indigenous SSNs; DRDO is developing AI-enabled AUVs and a Fibre Optic Sensing System for seabed mapping/submarine detection, alongside India–US ASW collaboration; recommendations include fast-tracking projects, creating a Seabed Warfare Command, integrating crewed-uncrewed platforms, deepening Quad/UDA co-development, and expanding P-8I and Sea Guardian surveillance at choke points.

Prime Minister announced use of fast-track courts (FTCs) for speedy trials in exam paper leak cases. FTCs are special courts for quick disposal of specific case categories, created through government schemes and judicial/administrative decisions; there is no single central legislation for them. The 14th Finance Commission (2015–20) recommended 1,800 FTCs. In 2019, Centre launched the FTSC scheme for rape and POCSO cases, partly funded by the Nirbhaya Fund.

India developed its first indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg thrust class. The engine was developed by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and manufactured by Azad Engineering, Hyderabad. It is intended to power cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones and other turbojet-powered platforms, strengthening indigenous aerospace propulsion capabilities under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the ‘Kusha’ long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, under Project Kusha. The indigenous system is designed to neutralise fighter jets, missiles, UAVs and large aircraft across a wide range and altitude envelope. It is a key element of the planned air defence umbrella ‘Sudarshan Chakra’, complements Russia’s S-400, and has interceptor variants of 150 km, 250 km and 350–400 km.

Botanists have formally described a new ginger lily species, Hedychium zubeengargianum (family Zingiberaceae; genus Hedychium), discovered in Shillong. It was first identified in 2018 at the Botanical Survey of India’s garden, Shillong, and formally published on July 21, 2026. The fragrant, creamy-white wild ginger lily is named after Zubeen Garg. Another eponym, Osbeckia zubeengargiana, was named in 2026 from Manas National Park grasslands.

NTCA has designated Telangana’s Kawal Tiger Reserve as a “priority recipient site” for tiger recovery. Kawal, in the Godavari basin, is in Stage 1 (Habitat and Prey Recovery) and has no resident/self-sustaining breeding tiger population. Prey density is low (chital 3.9, nilgai 4.17, wild pig 3.5 per sq km). Fragmented corridors to Maharashtra’s Tadoba–Andhari hinder movement. Vision 2047 prioritises improved habitat, prey, connectivity and anti-poaching before translocation.

Government relaxed FDI norms for export-focused e-commerce inventory models, allowing foreign-backed platforms to hold their own inventory if goods are strictly exported from India, limited to domestically manufactured/produced products. Earlier policy permitted FDI only in B2B e-commerce and marketplace models without inventory, to protect small traders and uphold the ban on FDI in multi-brand retail. Restrictions continue for inventory-based domestic sales; change aims to boost exports and global market access, marking the first major shift in nearly a decade.

Bodoland University scholars Bishal Basumatary and Mr. Choudhury studied Raimona National Park (Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam; 422 sq km) and found some invasive alien plants are major nectar sources and larval host plants for butterflies, especially in lean native-flower periods. They recorded 220 butterfly species, 56 larval host plants and 41 nectar plants; key invasives include Lantana camara (April–October; >30 species), Chromolaena odorata (December–February; 24) and Ziziphus mauritiana. The study advises controlled retention of small invasive patches and notes it is among India’s first urging restoration plans to consider pollinator benefits.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia (Ansar Allah) attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, amid the US military’s 12th successive night of strikes and reports of Iran attacking Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Bab el-Mandeb, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, carries ~12% of global trade. Saudi, producing 10 million bpd, uses the East-West Pipeline (Petroline) to Yanbu. A Saudi-led air/sea blockade began in 2015 after the 2014 seizure of Sanaa.

Researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and partner institutions compiled InvenTree-meta, described as India’s largest meta-dataset of tree inventory studies. It harmonises 465 published studies (1991–2023) covering 4,650+ hectares across all major Indian biomes. Over 80% datasets remain non-public due to costs, weak incentives and publishing biases. Under-sampled regions include northern Western Ghats, Northeast, Western Himalayas and Nicobar; key gaps persist in Northeast and eastern India. Uses include carbon assessment, biodiversity monitoring, warming-response tracking and sustainable forest management.

In the Monsoon Session, Parliament is to be laid the Inquiry Committee report under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, on former Allahabad/Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, after partially burnt currency notes were found (March 2025) at his official residence. He resigned in writing on April 9, 2026; under Union of India vs Gopal Chandra Misra (1978), judicial resignation needs no presidential acceptance. Report must be public; Section 6 links discussion to a removal motion, which resignation blocks.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha on PM-YASASVI, an umbrella scheme for students from OBC, EBC and Denotified Tribes (DNT). It aims to reduce financial barriers and promote inclusive, equitable and quality education. Eligibility: family income up to ₹2.5 lakh per annum. Components: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Top Class Education in Schools, and Top Class Education in Colleges. Implemented by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Ministry of Coal released ‘AAROH: Annual Report on Mine Closure’ at The Oberoi, New Delhi. Prepared by the Coal Controller Organisation, it is India’s first comprehensive report on scientific mine closure and repurposing, covering 42 scientifically closed coal mines, with before-after visuals, QR-linked videos and post-mining land-use analysis. It highlights RECLAIM, L.I.V.E.S., SUVIKALP Tool/Samvaad, Mine Closure Guidelines 2025, GIZ implementation agreement, Coal NEER plants and tripartite MoUs for Jharia rehabilitation and skill development.

Scientists from ICAR–National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) identified two new marine species from Indian waters: Pachycheles ravichandrani (porcelain crab; genus Pachycheles, family Porcellanidae) from Agatti Island coral reefs, Lakshadweep, named after Dr M. Ravichandran; and Bascanichthys chepakakiensis (snake eel; genus Bascanichthys, family Ophichthidae) from Bay of Bengal near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, named from Telugu “chepa” and “kaki”. Morphology and mitochondrial DNA confirmed status.

Belwa–Minapur Link Channel (Belwadhar) under the Bagmati–Budhi Gandak River Interlinking Project was inaugurated in Bihar. Bihar’s first river-linking project, it is an intrastate initiative within the Bagmati Flood Management Project. The link runs from Belwa Ghat (Pipra block, Sheohar) to Minapur (Muzaffarpur), diverting surplus Bagmati water to Budhi Gandak to reduce monsoon flood intensity in Sheohar, Muzaffarpur and East Champaran, besides boosting irrigation, agriculture, fisheries and groundwater; irrigation covers blocks in Sheohar, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and Kalyanpur (Samastipur).

Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), with the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), launched the nationwide Campus Biodiversity Registers (CBRs) initiative to document campus biodiversity across India. Modelled on the People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) framework, it mobilises students, faculty and staff through surveys, campus walks and observations, using citizen-science tools like iNaturalist, eBird and SeasonWatch. NBA is a statutory body for conservation, sustainable use and benefit-sharing.

Indian Navy commissioned INS Malvan at Karwar, Karnataka, on 22 July 2026. It is the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, and the sixth of 16 such vessels planned, with over 80% indigenous content. Roles include underwater surveillance, ASW, LIMO and mine warfare. Named after Malvan (Maharashtra); predecessor served as inshore minesweeper till 2003. Crest: ‘Bagh Nakha’; motto: ‘Silent Claws’.

Scientists at IASST, Guwahati (Assam)—an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology—demonstrated borophene (2D single-atomic-layer boron) as a green lubricant additive in castor oil. At 0.1 wt.% concentration, lubrication improved without chemical modification of the oil, aided by a protective tribofilm of iron oxides, carbonaceous and boron-based compounds, reducing frictional energy losses, wear and petroleum-lubricant reliance for machinery and renewable energy, marine and automotive applications.

Chennai-based ePlane Company unveiled PT-01, India’s first full-scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototype. It combines helicopter-like VTOL with fixed-wing forward flight, using a carbon-fibre composite body, six independent lift rotors and four forward propellers with thrust redistribution on motor failure. Battery-electric propulsion (no turbines) and fly-by-wire enable safe unmanned tests first, then piloted certification trials. Range: 110 km. Target commercial operations: 2028; initial use case: air ambulance, besides airport transfers and urban transport, with quieter, lower-emission, lower-cost operations.

A Union Minister launched Mission Golden Spice (Integrated Lakadong Turmeric Value Chain Enhancement Project) in Meghalaya, offering a 5-year roadmap (2025–2030) for GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric. It targets quality positioning via 7–10% curcumin (nearly four times world average); curcumin is the principal yellow compound in turmeric rhizomes. It notes curcumin falls outside Meghalaya due to local soil, mandates women as custodians, follows two phases, is governed by MDoNER and NEC, and includes Northeast’s largest integrated organic processing and curcumin extraction facility.

Persistent extreme heatwave has depleted major European rivers—Danube, Rhine, Elbe and Loire—disrupting transport and exposing riverbeds. Europe’s 2nd-longest river, the Danube, hit a 30-year low in Romania; at Baziaș flow fell to ~1,700 m³/s versus July average 4,700, exposing sandbanks, suspending ferries and idling grain barges. Rhine (Kaub gauge 80–90 cm) forces partial loads, raising costs. Loire near Montjean-sur-Loire and France’s Doubs ran dry.

Researchers from MACS Agharkar Research Institute, Pune (DST) discovered five new lichen-forming fungi (script lichens) of genus Allographa (family Graphidaceae) in the Western Ghats: A. keralensis, A. nayakae, A. paraconsanguinea, A. persistinspersa, A. semicarbonisata. Using taxonomy plus molecular phylogenetics (morphological/chemical analyses; multi-locus DNA markers mtSSU, nrLSU, RPB2), it is the first comprehensive regional phylogenetic study, showing similar morphologies may not imply close relatedness; lichens indicate pollution and habitat change. New molecular data were generated for A. calcea, A. macella, A. aquilonia, A. rimulosa, A. effusosoredica.

Union Home Minister will introduce the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha to extend statutory protection to the national song Vande Mataram (Bankim Chandra Chatterjee), placing it on par with Jana Gana Mana under the 1971 Act. Section 3 penalises preventing anthem singing/disturbing assemblies (up to 3 years’ imprisonment/fine/both). Courts note standing suffices; Bijoe Emmanuel (1986) held expulsion violated Articles 19(1)(a) and 25(1).

Japan disclosed (first time) that a Chinese navy destroyer with Russian vessels held live-fire drills near Okinotori (Parece Vela). Okinotori is Japan’s tiny uninhabited atoll in the Philippine Sea (Pacific); at high tide only two rocky outcrops remain above sea level. It lies on the Palau-Kyushu Ridge, administered under the Ogasawara Islands; Japan’s southernmost island (~1,700 km south of Tokyo), its only territory south of the Tropic of Cancer. Japan claims an EEZ here, disputed by China; strategically midway between Taiwan and Guam.