Current Affairs

CMS COP15 (Bonn Convention) will be held at Campo Grande, Brazil, 23–29 March 2026, focusing on international cooperation to conserve migratory species and habitats; theme: “Connecting Nature to Sustain Life” (logo: jaguar, Amazonian catfish, seabirds). Under UNEP, CMS concept arose at Stockholm 1972; signed Bonn (Germany) 1979; in force 1983; Secretariat in Bonn. It unites range states; 133 parties (2022); non-parties include China, Russia, USA, Canada, Japan; India is a party. Appendix I: threatened species; Appendix II: species needing cooperative measures.

An oleum gas leak at a chemical unit in Boisar, Palghar district (Maharashtra) highlighted industrial safety risks in the Tarapur–Boisar industrial belt, among India’s oldest and largest estates. Oleum (fuming sulphuric acid) is sulphur trioxide dissolved in sulphuric acid; it is highly corrosive and releases sulphur oxides in air, forming dense clouds. Regulation: Environment Protection Act, 1986; MSIHC Rules, 1989; Chemical Accident Rules, 1996; Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991; NGT Act, 2010; NDMA chemical-disaster guidelines.

President appointed Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi as Governor of West Bengal. Governor is nominal executive head (Art. 153-154), appointed by President by warrant (Art. 155); tenure normally 5 years but holds office at President’s pleasure (Art. 156) and can be removed without reasons/impeachment. Qualifications/conditions: citizen, 35+, no office of profit; not MP/MLA (Art. 157-158). Powers include assent/reservation (Art. 200-201), ordinances (Art. 213), pardons (Art. 161); SR Bommai, Nabam Rebia; Sarkaria, Punchhi, Rajamannar recommendations.

Amid rising US–Israel–Iran tensions, analysts flag a possible “war of attrition”: a strategy to outlast an enemy by gradually exhausting resources, personnel, equipment and morale, needing sustained logistics and supply lines. Term derives from Latin attritionem (“wearing away”). Linked to WWI trench stalemates and the 1969–70 Egypt–Israel Sinai conflict. Modern warfare may mix attrition and manoeuvre; prolonged fighting risks wider regional, global economic-security fallout.

Vice-President attended inauguration of the Rajagopuram, Kalasarohan and Mahakumbhabhishekam at Sri Veerabhadreshwar Temple, Shri Kshetra Yadur (Krishna river bank), Belagavi, Karnataka. Founded in the 12th century by Veerashaiva saint Shri Kadsiddeshwar, it is ~800 years old, dedicated to Veerabhadra and Bhadrakalamma Devi; Shivalinga is Shri Veerupakshalinga. Veerashaiva Lingayat tradition (12th century Karnataka) led by Basaveswara emphasises Ishtalinga worship, equality, kayaka, and opposes caste discrimination, elaborate rituals and idol worship; propagated by mathas and jangamas.

During the state visit of Finland’s President, India and Finland elevated ties to a “Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability”. Outcomes include a Joint Task Force on 6G cooperation, an Indo-Finland Startup Corridor, and a Migration and Mobility Partnership to facilitate movement of students and professionals. Both aim to double bilateral trade to $2.6 billion by 2030, capitalising on the recently concluded India-EU FTA, and India will co-host the World Circular Economy Forum 2026, a Finnish initiative.

Ministry of Defence signed contracts to procure six ALH Mk-III (Maritime Role) helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard and Shtil surface-to-air missiles for the Indian Navy, strengthening maritime security and air-defence. ALH Mk-III is a twin-engine maritime helicopter for operations from shore airfields and ships, acquired under Buy Indian-IDDM via HAL, Bengaluru. Shtil offers rapid-reaction, all-weather naval air-defence and improved survivability; supplier: JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation.

Union Home and Cooperation Minister dedicated IFFCO’s Sulphuric Acid Plant (SAP-III) at Paradip, Odisha. The plant (2,000 metric tonnes/day) boosts domestic fertiliser production and chemical processing, reducing import dependence. Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a colourless, odourless, oily, highly corrosive liquid used in fertilisers, petroleum refining, metal processing and chemical manufacturing; it is vital for phosphate fertilisers (DAP, NPK). Established under “Sahkar se Samriddhi”, Paradip’s deep-water natural port enables cost-effective imports of rock phosphate and elemental sulphur.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) launched a moonshot project to develop brain co-processors for neurological applications. Using neuromorphic hardware and artificial intelligence, it aims to decode, process and re-encode neural signals in closed-loop systems via stimulation/neurofeedback, through implantable or non-invasive devices. Focus includes cognitive and motor rehabilitation for stroke survivors, restoring reach–grasp and limb control, alongside indigenous implants, India-specific stereo-EEG/electrocorticography datasets, and open-source AI models/tools as digital public goods.

Assam flagged off the first export consignment of GI-tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London. Grown in the Singhasan Hills of Karbi Anglong district, it is cultivated through traditional Jhum and Tila systems and is noted for strong aroma, bold flavour, rich pungency and high oil content, with medicinal and culinary value. It received a GI tag in 2015 under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999; GI registration is valid for 10 years, renewable, and covers agricultural and other goods.

India submitted a national biodiversity progress report (MoEFCC) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), assessing the first full progress review of 23 Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets. CBD is a legally binding treaty adopted at UNCED, Rio (1992), in force from 1993; under UNEP, secretariat Montreal (Canada), governed by COP; Article 26 mandates national reports; objectives: conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit-sharing. India’s NBSAP aligns 23 National Biodiversity Targets (142 indicators); all on track. Forest/tree cover: 25.17% area (9th globally); land restoration 24.1 million ha (pledge 26 million ha by 2030); forests remove ~150 Mt CO2 annually (2021–25; 5th carbon sink); non-fossil capacity 51.93% (NDC 50%); CBD protocols: Cartagena and Nagoya.

National Zoological Park marked World Wildlife Day 2026 via awareness/outreach. Observed annually on 3 March, it was established by UNGA (2013) and commemorates CITES signing (1973), recognising wild animals/plants’ contributions. Theme 2026: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”; ~50,000–70,000 wild species harvested; 70–95% in developing countries rely on plant-based medicine; >20% medicinal plants threatened (habitat loss, overharvesting, climate change). UN Postal Administration issued Endangered Species Stamp Series 2026; UN held virtual talks (frankincense, jatamansi, chamomile); Jia Yoo (South Korea) won Youth Art Contest (4,200+ entries, 117 countries). India highlighted National Medicinal Plants Board work in Himalayas/Western Ghats, including Valley of Flowers and Periyar Tiger Reserve; Australia focused on Waddy wood tree and Davidson’s plum.

Union Home Minister greeted devotees on Attukal Pongala, a major Kerala Hindu festival at Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Dedicated to Attukal Amma (incarnation of Goddess Bhadrakali), it is recognised as the world’s largest women’s religious congregation (over three million), popularly called “Sabarimala of Women”. The 10-day festival begins on Karthigai star in Makaram/Kumbham; Pongala Mahotsavam is on day nine and concludes with Kuruthitharpanam. It is linked to Kannaki of Silappathikaaram, believed to have passed through Attukal after burning Madurai en route to Kodungallur.

IIT Madras study found 24.6% of Indian breast cancer patients carry inherited (germline) risk variants; BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations were 8.35%, indicating major risk beyond BRCA. India records ~1.9 lakh new cases annually; >10% are linked to inherited mutations. Many variants involved homologous recombination repair; 31 HRR and 41 other variants were absent in global databases. RECQL variants occurred in 1.7% (higher in South Asians). Bharat Cancer Genome Atlas (IIT Madras) supports precision medicine.

Astronomers released the largest image of the Milky Way’s central region using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) via the ACES survey, mapping the Central Molecular Zone in unprecedented detail over >650 light years. ALMA, operational since 2013, is a 66-antenna interferometer in Chile’s Atacama Desert (Chajnantor Plateau, ~5,000 m), led by ESO, US NSF and Japan’s NINS with Chile. It observes 0.32–3.6 mm wavelengths (baseline up to 16 km) using the ALMA Correlator, detecting cold gas filaments, molecules (silicon monoxide, methanol, ethanol, acetone) and lower star formation despite high gas density.

Recent armed clashes and cross-border strikes between Pakistan and Afghanistan underscore the strategic salience of the disputed Durand Line, a ~2,600 km land border. It was established in 1893 via an agreement between Sir Henry Mortimer Durand (British India) and Emir Abdur Rahman Khan, demarcating spheres of influence. It runs from Iran to China across the Karakoram and Registan, cuts Pashtun regions, and includes key crossings: Torkham (Nangarhar–Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Ghulam Khan (Khost–North Waziristan) and Chaman–Spin Boldak (Balochistan–Kandahar; Quetta–Kandahar link).

Rural India studies detected pesticides, heavy metals, uranium and other pollutants in breast milk, indicating infant exposure; at least 101 contaminants, including carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, were reported. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months. Uranium‑238 contaminates groundwater; WHO guideline 30 µg/L. 151 districts across 18 states exceeded it; Katihar, Bihar recorded 5.25 µg/L; higher in Punjab, Haryana, Telangana, Delhi and Rajasthan.

PM paid tribute to Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur on his 350th martyrdom anniversary at “Hind-di-Chadar”, recalling his sacrifice for religious freedom. The 9th Sikh Guru (1664–1675), born 1 April 1621 at Amritsar as Tyag Mal, youngest son of Guru Hargobind, contributed 115 hymns to Guru Granth Sahib and founded Anandpur (1672). Executed in Delhi on 11 November 1675 under Aurangzeb; Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib marks the site. Martyrdom is observed on 24 November via Shaheedi Samagam.

TU Wien researchers and startup Cerabyte created the world’s smallest QR code, earning a Guinness World Records title, demonstrating ultra-dense ceramic-based data storage. The ~2 square micrometre code (smaller than a bacterium) is a 29×29 pixel grid; each pixel ~49 nm. Made on ~15 nm chromium nitride ceramic via focused ion beam milling, verified by scanning electron microscope. Data is physically etched, power-free; A4 ceramic sheet >2 TB (~130 bits/µm²).

India–Canada ties, designated a Strategic Partnership (2018), were strengthened through agreements on trade, energy and institutional mechanisms. Terms of Reference were signed for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Bilateral merchandise trade is ~US$8–9 billion annually, with a US$50 billion target by 2030. A long-term contract with Canada’s Cameco for uranium ore concentrates was finalised. An MoU on critical minerals supply chains and intent for a Joint Pulse Protein Centre were issued. Canada joined the Global Biofuels Alliance and International Solar Alliance, and launched a Parliamentary Friendship Group and Defence Dialogue.

Trade arrangements: zero-duty access to ~70% of global GDP. Exports Apr–Jan FY26: USD 720.76 bn (+6.15% YoY). Electronics 3rd export/2nd mobile-manufacturing base; refined petroleum 7th exporter; pharma 3rd by volume, 11th by value; textiles 6th share; auto jobs >30 mn. Defence exports ₹23,622 cr (FY25) to 100+ countries. Export Promotion Mission ₹25,060 cr (FY26–31): Niryat Protsahan, Niryat Disha, FLOW, LIFT, TRACE; plus PLI, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, ECM ₹40,000 cr, PM E-DRIVE ₹10,900 cr.

India renewed its Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) with Japan, effective 28 February 2026. The BSA enables a two-way swap where both authorities can exchange their local currencies for the US Dollar, with the size unchanged at USD 75 billion. A currency swap is an agreement between two central banks to exchange cash flows in different currencies under predetermined conditions. India also has SAARC CSA (2024-27), India-UAE CSA and India-Sri Lanka CSA.

A study warns over one-third of Africa is at risk from Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD), a viral disease threatening cassava in East and Southern Africa, potentially causing 100% edible root yield loss via vascular necrosis. It is caused by cassava brown streak virus and Ugandan cassava brown streak virus, spread mainly by whitefly Bemisia tabaci (SSA1/SSA2), aided by climate change, agricultural intensification, and reuse of infected cuttings. Management includes clean resistant/tolerant planting material, roguing infected plants, and whitefly control; Ethiopia is among few East African countries without reported cases.

An adult male tiger (6–7 years) was found dead near the Mala forest range of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh. The reserve lies along the India–Nepal border in the Himalayan foothills, part of the Terai Arc Landscape (upper Gangetic Plain). Gomti originates here; Sharda, Chuka and Mala Khannot are in its catchment. Sharda Sagar Dam runs ~22 km along its boundary. Forests include moist/dry deciduous, seasonal swamp and semi-evergreen; sal covers ~76%, supporting tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, hog deer and leopard.