Current Affairs

Delhi Police de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site; alternatives are Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground (north Delhi) and CBD Ground (east Delhi), following an MHA committee recommendation; revised SOP pending. Earlier Jantar Mantar rules required 10-day prior application, cap 1,000; Ramlila Maidan capacity ~50,000. Central Delhi policing tightened since Oct 10 amid Section 163 BNSS prohibitory orders. Under Article 239AA(3)(a), Delhi Assembly cannot legislate on State List Entries 1 (public order), 2 (police), 18 (land); Delhi Police is under MHA. Article 19 permits “public order” restrictions; SC rulings: Ram Manohar Lohia (1966) concentric circles; In Re Ramlila Maidan (2012) least-intrusive limits; Himat Lal Shah (1972) prior permission allowed but no blanket bans; MKSS v Union of India (2018) earmarking zones, limited Jantar Mantar Road open for regulated small protests.

INS Tarkash is deployed to South Africa for IBSAMAR IX (2026), the ninth India-Brazil-South Africa maritime exercise under the IBSA framework, held biennially since 2008, themed “Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.” India participates with INS Tarkash and integral Chetak helicopter. Drills include surface/anti-air/anti-submarine warfare, naval air operations, interdiction/VBSS, anti-piracy, SAR, damage control and firefighting. INS Tarkash is a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate (second of three), a modified Krivak III, built at Yantar, Kaliningrad (Russia), commissioned 9 November 2012 at Kaliningrad; speed >30 knots; range 4,500 miles/30 days.

17-member Indian Coast Guard team scaled Mt Mukut (7,045 m) in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalaya-Zaskar Range near Mt Kamet; Gangotri Group, Nanda Devi Sanctuary; “Mukut”=crown. Transition zone between monsoon Garhwal valleys and Tibetan Plateau; top has rock/snow/glacier ice ridges. First ascent 1951, NZ team incl Edmund Hillary and George Lowe. Garhwal Himalaya: western Central Himalaya, Tons-Kali; N Tibet, S Shivaliks; rivers Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Yamuna; forests pine / oak / deodar / fir / rhododendron.

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO), a comprehensive report issued twice yearly (April and October) with updates in July and January, provides estimates and forecasts on output growth, inflation, real GDP, consumer prices, current account balances and unemployment using its WEO database. It projects India’s growth at 7.4% (2026) and 7% (2027), CPI at 2% (2025) and 5% (2026), and current account deficit at 1.5% of GDP (2026). Global growth is forecast at 3.1% (2026) and 3.4% (2027).

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (Nobel Prize in Economics) jointly to Robert E. Hall (Stanford University) and Michael Woodford (Columbia University) for “microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.” Their work shaped New Keynesian models used by central banks: Hall’s Random Walk Hypothesis of Consumption (1978) and labour-market frictions; Woodford’s “Interest and Prices” emphasising expectations, forward guidance and policy at the zero lower bound, improving robustness to regime shifts (Lucas Critique).

A study on Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina) finds climate heatwaves can override XX/XY determination, converting XX tadpoles into fertile physical males by altering hormonal signals/gene expression. Across 16 populations, sex-reversed males form 20% of wild males but sire 4% clutches; their offspring show higher male bias (61% vs 17% from XY). Heat plus Ranavirus raises viral loads; models project collapse of small isolated populations in 60-70 years, ~10 years earlier with Ranavirus. IUCN notes ~40% amphibians threatened. Undetected sex reversal skews field surveys. Western Ghats face similar heat-pathogen risks; Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 action plans include genetic sex-monitoring and thermal buffers.

MoEFCC’s 7th draft notification proposes 56,825.7 sq km (4,402 villages; ~37% of range) of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area across six states: Karnataka 20,668 sq km (10 districts), Maharashtra 17,340, Kerala 9,993.7, Tamil Nadu 6,914, Goa 1,461, Gujarat 449. It bans new commercial mining/quarrying, sand mining, red-category industries, thermal plants, large construction/townships; existing mines to phase out within 5 years/lease expiry; hydropower regulated with strict clearances and lean-season flows; agriculture/plantations/livelihoods exempt. Karnataka rejects satellite mapping, seeks 1-year ground survey; Kerala seeks reduction to 8,590.69 sq km; other states cite boundary overlaps, land value and infrastructure concerns. Western Ghats is a global biodiversity hotspot, Peninsular India’s “water tower”, sequestering ~10% of India’s forest carbon.

The 2nd meeting of the UN Global Initiative on AI for Agri-Food Systems (GI-AI4FS) was held alongside India Mobile Congress 2026 in New Delhi, jointly hosted by Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Department of Telecommunications, and ICAR. GI-AI4FS, coordinated by ITU with FAO, IFAD and WFP, focuses on AI governance/standards and farm applications. About 70 attended in person, 25 online; discussions covered sensors, drones, satellites, analytics, traceability and post-harvest losses. A hackathon (Oct 8-9) at ICAR campus fed shortlisted solutions; winners were showcased and awarded.

UNCTAD projects global Official Development Assistance (ODA) to fall to $152 billion in 2026, the 3rd consecutive annual decline and lowest in real terms since 2014. UNCTAD-OECD estimates show 16/33 OECD-DAC members, including the 5 largest donors, announcing 2026 cuts. Drivers: budget reprioritisation (industrial subsidies, defence), debt, and diversion to in-country refugee costs / crises. LDCs and SIDS face sharp cuts; SDG financing gap exceeds $4 trillion annually. OECD-DAC defines ODA as concessional government aid (≥25% grant element at 10% discount); benchmark is 0.7% GNI (met by Norway, Sweden, Luxembourg, Denmark).

Over 130 civil society organisations urged the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM) Supervisory Body to suspend carbon credits for a Myanmar cookstove project, the first to receive Article 6.4 credits (February 2026). Managed by South Korea’s Climate Change Center, it distributes Envirofit M5000 stoves targeting >50% firewood reduction. Credits may support South Korea’s ETS and Myanmar’s commitments; concerns include integrity, verification, human rights, governance, and participation. Article 6.4 rules were further developed at COP29, Baku (2024).

Researchers at IISc, Bengaluru developed a computational framework mapping 9,389 elementary reactions (expanded from 152) for CO₂-to-fuel/chemical conversion, covering 105 catalyst-surface species. The 152-reaction model underestimated conversion and predicted formic acid; the expanded model predicts ~40-fold higher CO₂ conversion with methanol and CO as major products, matching experiments. It integrates quantum simulations, machine learning and automated reaction mapping, including an H₂ direct hydrogen-transfer pathway; applications include catalyst design, carbon utilisation, and extensions to nitrogen reduction and water splitting.

Indian Navy guided missile stealth frigate INS Trishul participated in Exercise KONKAN-2026 at Plymouth, United Kingdom. KONKAN is an annual bilateral maritime exercise between India and the UK, aimed at enhancing interoperability and mutual understanding. It has two phases: Harbour Phase (professional interactions, cross-deck visits, sports and cultural engagements) and Sea Phase (complex drills in air, surface and sub-surface domains). It reflects the India-UK Vision 2035 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

WIPO’s Global Innovation Index (GII) 2026 (19th edition) ranks innovation performance of 139 economies and lists the world’s top 100 innovation clusters. Launched in 2007, it is published annually and is recognised by the UN General Assembly as an authoritative reference for STI policies. It tracks investment, technology progress, adoption and socio-economic impacts. Switzerland ranks 1st; Sweden 2nd; US 3rd. India is 38th, 1st among 36 lower middle-income economies and among 11 Central and Southern Asia economies.

International Science Council released report “10 New Insights in Climate Science 2026-2027” at pre-COP31 meeting in Fiji, to inform COP31 negotiations; prepared by Future Earth, Earth League and World Climate Research Programme. Key findings: 2025 warming ~1.43°C above pre-industrial; 2015-2025 warmest 11 years; 2025 CO₂ emissions 38.1 bn tonnes (fossil fuel+c​ement), CO₂ 425.6 ppm (~53% above pre-industrial); oceans absorb >90% excess heat, record heat content 9th year; sea-level rise rate doubled in 30 years (thermal expansion, glacier/ice-sheet melt); freshwater losses since 2002 in 101 countries affect ~3/4 population, annual gap 458 km³, South Asia groundwater depletion; Social Cost of Carbon damages up to 4×; attribution science links producers to impacts aiding litigation; climate clubs/CBAM cut leakage but raise developing exporters’ costs; obstruction via denial, delay, dilution, greenwashing, disinformation; geopolitics can disrupt clean-energy supply chains, increasing fossil reliance.

RBI issued a cybersecurity and technology-resilience framework for commercial banks (July 2026) covering IT governance, cyber-risk management and incident response; SEBI launched an IT Resilience Index for market infrastructure institutions (August 2026). Quantum computing (qubits; superposition, entanglement) threatens RSA/elliptic-curve cryptography underpinning UPI, Aadhaar, RTGS and NEFT; “quantum deadline” 2029-30; HNDL noted in CERT-In Digital Threat Report 2025-26. Post-Quantum Cryptography needs inventory, prioritisation, testing, vendor coordination and crypto-agility. India has few (<10-qubit) systems (IISc Bengaluru, QpiAI); National Quantum Mission (2023) targets 20-50 physical qubits initially. NIST finalised PQC standards; G7 roadmap; EU transition by end-2026, high-risk migration by end-2030; DST BFSI roadmap: foundational work 2027, high-priority migration 2028, full adoption 2029; RBI Q-SAFE committee and NITI Aayog (2025) roadmap guide adoption.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses (2025-26 to 2030-31) aims to cut import dependence and raise farmers’ incomes via higher domestic output. It targets 35 lakh ha area expansion (rice fallows / suitable lands), intercropping / diversification; integrates research, seed systems, procurement and price stability. It mandates 126 lakh quintals certified seeds, 88 lakh free seed kits, 5-year rolling state seed plans, ICAR-supervised breeder seed, training, 1,000 processing units (₹25 lakh max subsidy), cluster-based interventions, and assured Tur/Urad/Masoor procurement under PM-AASHA (PSS) by NAFED / NCCF with 100% procurement for 4 years in participating states for registered farmers with agreements.

PIB reported that Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), launched in 2025, has completed one year of district-focused action via District Action Plans. A 6-year initiative from 2025-26, it targets 100 Aspirational Agricultural Districts identified by low productivity, low cropping intensity and low agricultural credit; selection also considers net cropped area/operational holdings, with at least one district per State. It converges 36 schemes across 11 departments and uses a three-tier structure: District Samiti (Collector/DM), State Samiti (Chief Secretary), and national committees led by Agriculture Minister and Secretary, DA&FW.

Bathukamma is a floral festival of Telangana, celebrated mainly by women and designated as the Telangana State Festival. It begins with Engilipula Bathukamma and runs for nine days during Durga Navratri, culminating in Saddula / Pedda Bathukamma. “Bathukamma” means “Mother Goddess Come Alive”. Folklore links it to Goddess Gauri and Chola King Dhramangada-Queen Satyavati; Kakatiyas emphasised feminine strength and agricultural prosperity. Usually observed in September-October, it is followed by the seven-day Boddemma festival.

INS Shreyas, launched by defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd for the Indian Navy, is the third of four next-generation offshore patrol vessels. Named from India’s heritage, ‘Shreyas’ means ‘Best/Most Excellent’ in Sanskrit. It is about 113 m long and 14.6 m wide, with 23-knot speed and 8,500 nautical mile endurance, designed for coastal / offshore protection, interdiction, surveillance, mine warfare and special operations.

With India targeting developed status by 2047 and net-zero by 2070, cement decarbonisation is key: construction emits ~35-40% of global GHGs and cement ~7-11% of CO₂. India is the 2nd-largest producer (installed capacity ~668-700 MTPA; FY26 output ~490 Mt). Emissions intensity is ~0.62 tCO₂/t cement; targets: 0.56 (2030) and 0.51 (2047). Calcination causes process CO₂; CCUS may be needed. NITI Aayog suggests 20% RDF thermal substitution by 2030 (≈80 Mt CO₂e cut). Clinker-to-cement ratio is ~67.5%.

USTR began investigating the EU’s expanded Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), seeking US small-business comments till 9 November, signalling possible retaliation; it links to an India-EU “forward-MFN” clause extending to India any CBAM concessions. CBAM makes EU importers in six sectors (aluminium, cement, electricity, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron/steel) declare embedded emissions and pay an EU-equivalent carbon price, using punitive default values and EU-accredited verification. GTRI estimates a 20-35% levy on select Indian exports. India plans Green Steel via scrap-based EAF; ICRIER (May 2025) flags scrap at 20% feedstock, constrained by ~25 MMt annual availability.

Chief of Defence Staff inaugurated trunk utility and amenity infrastructure for the Indian Navy under Project Seabird Phase IIA at Karwar naval base, Karnataka. India’s largest naval infrastructure project spans ~11,000 acres, with the country’s first sealift facility and a ship/submarine docking-undocking transfer system. Phase I was commissioned in 2005; Phase II began in 2011 (2A/2B), expanding berthing and adding a Naval Air Station. On completion, INS Kadamba is slated to be Eastern Hemisphere’s largest naval base, hosting ~32 warships and 23 submarines.

CREAMS (Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space), an IARI, New Delhi initiative coordinated by the Division of Agricultural Physics, released a bulletin (15 Sept-6 Oct 2026) reporting 287 paddy stubble-burning incidents across 7 states: Madhya Pradesh 118 (highest), Punjab 88 and Uttar Pradesh 65; Punjab was lowest for this period in 7 years. Stubble burning is crop-residue burning, used when paddy-wheat turnaround is short; MP rise is linked to shift to paddy, extreme weather risks, low-cost clearing and mechanisation, worsening air pollution, health, soil and GHG emissions.

UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Report 2026 (launched in 1981) notes global trade hit $35 trillion in 2025 and is projected to grow 4% in 2026; global growth may slow to 2.6%. China-US trade has fallen over 20% since 2024. AI products drive merchandise trade. Global greenfield investment totalled $845.7 billion (2020-25); strategic sectors rose 16% to 44%. India had a 5.7% share vs China 2.8%; India GDP is projected at 7.3% (2026) and 6.8% (2027).

Delhi Police denied Cockroach Janta Party’s Jantar Mantar protest; Delhi Police guidelines require applications to reach DCP ordinarily 10 days prior (CJP applied 3 days before), seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged SIR irregularities. Right to protest flows from Articles 19(1)(a),(b), subject to 19(2),(3); SC MKSS (2018) upheld prior-permission (“Total extinction is not balancing”). Jantar Mantar cap 1,000; larger protests to Ramlila Ground (50,000). Defiance may attract BNS 223; prohibitory orders under BNSS 163, challengeable (163(5),(7); Babulal Parate, 1961; Ramlila Maidan, 2012) or Delhi HC under Article 226.

NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured the first detailed images of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS as it passed through the solar system, offering a rare view of an extrasolar visitor. Comets are dust-and-ice remnants from solar system formation 4.6 billion years ago. Short-period comets originate in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune (<200-year orbits); long-period comets come from the sphere-shaped Oort Cloud (~50 times farther). Visible parts: nucleus, coma, ion tail, dust tail.

Permanent Missions of India and Mali marked World Cotton Day at UN Headquarters, New York. Mali is a landlocked West African country; capital Bamako. Borders: Algeria (N), Niger and Burkina Faso (E), Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea (S), Senegal and Mauritania (W). Climate shifts from tropical savanna (S) to desert (N); ~65% desert/semi-desert, largely Sahara. Landscape: Sahara-Sahel-Sudanian savanna. Niger River is main water source; highest point Hombori Tondo (1,155 m). Resources include gold, uranium, diamonds, copper, iron ore, zinc, manganese, bauxite.