Current Affairs

WII UAV survey: 270 dugongs in Tamil Nadu; state to set up India’s first Dugong Conservation Centre. Dugong dugon, seagrass-dependent marine herbivorous mammal, occurs in Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman & Nicobar. TN notified India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (Sept 2022). IUCN Vulnerable; Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 Schedule I; CITES Appendix I. Threats: habitat degradation, destructive fishing, climate change.

Government revised the startup recognition framework: turnover threshold raised from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore. A dedicated Deep Tech Startups category (cutting-edge/breakthrough technologies) expands eligibility with age limit extended from 10 to 20 years and turnover limit enhanced to ₹300 crore. Eligible entities now include Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002) and State/UT cooperative societies. DPIIT-recognised startups get cash flow statement exemption and 100% profit tax exemption for three years under Income Tax Act, 1961; India has over 2 lakh such startups (Dec 2025), ~50% from Tier-II/III cities.

Bharat GenAI, a government-supported national initiative for sovereign foundational AI models tailored to Indian languages and societal contexts, currently supports 15 Indian languages and is set to complete text models in all 22 scheduled languages this month, per the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. It covers text (LLMs), speech (TTS, ASR) and vision-language systems, spearheaded by IIT Bombay with other institutions; TIHs at IIT Bombay and IIT Madras function under NM-ICPS.

Government of India, Government of Nagaland and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) signed an agreement to create the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) for six eastern districts-Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator. ENPO represents eight Naga tribes: Konyak, Sangtam, Chang, Khiamniungan, Yimkhiung, Tikhir, Phom and Sumi. Powers over 46 subjects will be devolved; a Mini-Secretariat headed by Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary is mandated. Article 371(A) remains unaffected.

Protests in the Lok Sabha prevented the Prime Minister from replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, highlighting its constitutional and procedural basis. Under Article 87(1), the President addresses both Houses at the first session after each general election and at the first session each year, informing Parliament of the causes of its summons. In Lok Sabha, Rule 17 governs the Motion, moved and seconded by members, enabling debate and opposition amendments expressing regret over omissions or inadequate coverage.

Economists expect RBI to pause further cuts and hold repo at 5.25% (from 5.50%; cumulative 125 bps cuts in 2025) amid rising inflation concerns and tight liquidity; CPI inflation is 2.2%, within flexible inflation targeting 4%±2%. Monetary policy manages money/credit via quantitative tools (CRR, SLR, repo, reverse repo, bank rate, OMO) and qualitative tools (moral suasion, direct action, selective credit control, margin requirements). MPC is a statutory body (2016; Sec 45ZB, RBI Act 1934): 6 members (Governor, Deputy Governor-MP, 1 RBI officer; 3 Central Govt appointees for 4 years/not reappointed), meets ≥4 times/year; quorum 4; majority decisions binding, Governor has casting vote; sets rates to meet inflation target while supporting growth; FY26 GDP: RBI 7.3%, Govt 7.4%.

Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the first Technology Development Board (TDB) open call under the RDI Fund, supporting projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4+ under the RDI Scheme. TRL, originally by NASA, is a nine-level maturity scale from TRL-1 to TRL-9. The Special Purpose Fund has Rs 1 lakh crore over six years, offering long-tenure collateral-free loans (up to 50%), equity (up to 25%) and debt-equity conversion for priority sunrise/strategic sectors.

DAY-NRLM (launched 2016; MoRD) was reviewed for 2026-27 to 2030-31 to scale rural women entrepreneurship and strengthen institutions. Centrally sponsored SHG-based programme (earlier NRLM) implemented via SRLMs through SHGs, Village Organisations and Cluster-Level Federations across all States/UTs except Delhi and Chandigarh; covers ~10 crore rural poor in 91 lakh SHGs, identified by Participatory Identification of Poor. Enables livelihoods, financial inclusion (collateral-free loans, interest subvention, bank linkage via Bank Sakhis), SVEP, CRPs (Krishi/Pashu/Bank Sakhi), DDU-GKY (15–35), RSETIs (18–50), SARAS Aajeevika Melas, NIRDPR training; Centre-State funded; NPAs ~1.7%.

India has joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) to support manufacturing and MSMEs. Launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), BCIC functions as a one-stop centre providing integrated support services across BRICS countries, with emphasis on strengthening Industry 4.0 competencies. The National Productivity Council (NPC) is designated as the India Centre. BRICS has 11 members.

Amid Iran’s worst drought in decades, authorities are spraying clouds with chemicals to induce rainfall over the Lake Urmia (Oromeeh) basin in northwestern Iran’s Azerbaijan region. Lake Urmia is the Middle East’s largest lake and a terminal (no-outlet) lake, making it extremely saline. It receives inflows from the Talkheh River and the twin Zarīneh (Jagātu) and Sīmīneh (Tatavi) rivers, and is a Ramsar Site under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.

NDMA, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, issued India’s first comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure on Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) after multiple mass fatality incidents in 2025; released on Republic Day, marking 25 years since the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. It mandates a scientific, coordinated, humane four-stage process, Interpol-aligned, creates a National Dental Data Registry, includes forensic odontology/archaeology, addresses logistical and institutional gaps, and calls for State DVI teams.

India and the US reached a 2026 trade understanding: India will import US goods worth $100 billion annually for five years (vs $45.62 billion in FY25), covering energy, aircraft parts, technology, precious metals, nuclear-related equipment and select farm products. The US cuts tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% (raised in Aug 2025), aiding engineering, textiles and auto components. Sensitive GM, dairy, poultry, maize/cereals/corn face limits; quotas for cotton, pulses, chestnuts, onions; access for apples, wine, spirits, beer. It is not a full FTA; enforceability uncertain.

MoEFCC notified Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, effective 1 April 2026, replacing 2016 rules. Mandates at-source processing and four-way segregation (wet, dry, sanitary, special-care). Bulk waste generators (≥20,000 sq m or 40,000 L/day water or 100 kg/day waste) must segregate and hand over recyclables. Provides polluter-pays environmental compensation, legacy landfill mapping by 31 Oct 2026, and energy recovery for waste ≥1,500 kcal/kg.

Exercise KHANJAR-XIII, the 13th annual India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise, began at Misamari in Sonitpur district, Assam. The 14-day drill is held alternately in India and the Kyrgyz Republic; it was first initiated in December 2011 at Nahan, India. It aims to enhance special forces interoperability, focusing on urban warfare and counter-terrorism under a UN mandate, including CQB, room intervention, hostage rescue, and joint tactical manoeuvres.

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) scientists discovered a new flowering plant, Dicliptera pakhalica (genus Dicliptera, family Acanthaceae), in Telangana, known only from its type locality in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary. Named after Pakhal Lake (historic Kakatiya-period man-made reservoir), it grows on stream banks and rocky waterfall areas. Traits include downward stem hairs, non-sticky flowers/fruits and spiny seeds. Flowering: Nov–Jan; fruiting: Dec–Mar. It resembles D. parvibracteata (Eastern Ghats, AP–Odisha) and is IUCN Data Deficient.

Union Budget 2026 proposed DESH (Development of Excavated Sites into Heritage Destinations), a Ministry of Culture scheme to convert excavated archaeological landscapes into experiential cultural tourism, open sites for public engagement, generate local employment, strengthen regional economies, and disperse tourism to emerging locations. Coverage spans 3rd century BC–19th century: Lothal, Dholavira (Gujarat), Rakhigarhi, Agroha (Haryana), Hastinapur, Sarnath, Jhansi Fort (Uttar Pradesh), Eran (Madhya Pradesh), Sannati (Karnataka), Udayagiri (Odisha), Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu), Chittorgarh Fort (Rajasthan), Purana Qila (New Delhi), Leh Palace (Ladakh), Sibasagar Ahom site (Assam).

Government cited State-wise aid under Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS) and approved ₹1,000 crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project. LRMS is a centrally assisted disaster risk reduction scheme (2019), nodal ministry: MHA; implemented by NDMA with SDMAs/DDMAs. It covers mitigation, real-time monitoring, awareness, capacity building; initial phase: Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Uttarakhand; eligible States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal; uses MEMS sensors, solar power, AI; aligned with NDMA 2009 guidelines and National Disaster Management Plan.

Government plans to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives to cover all panchayats and villages in 5 years. PACS are grass-root short-term cooperative credit institutions, linking borrowers to banks/RBI-NABARD. Status: 79,630 sanctioned; 32,802 new registered; 61,478 digitised under ERP-based national software. Multi-State PACS: Union List Entry 44, CRCS under MSCS Act, 2002; single-state: State List Entry 32, RCS. Initiatives include decentralized grain storage (godowns/custom hiring), 21,000+ new dairy societies (50% procurement rise), 1,000 fisheries societies to FFPOs, model bye-laws as multipurpose service centres, and MSCS (Amendment) Act, 2023 mandating women/SC-ST board representation; NCP 2025 expands women/weaker sections’ roles.

Over the past decade, India’s electronics production rose from ₹1.9 lakh crore (2014–15) to ₹11.3 lakh crore (2024–25), while electronics exports increased from ₹38,000 crore to ₹3.27 lakh crore; about 25 lakh jobs were created. The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) targets a $500 billion domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem by 2030–31 and complements the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to strengthen semiconductors and electronics.

The government issued show-cause notices to edible oil firms for non-compliance with the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Amendment Order (VOPPA), 2025, which amends the VOPAA Order, 2011. Notified under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and incorporating the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, it mandates registration on NSWS and the VOPPA portal and monthly returns on production, stocks, imports, sales and availability for crude, refined and blended oils, vanaspati and margarine.

DRDO successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur (Odisha), validating it for intended missile applications. SFDR combines a solid-fuel rocket with an air-breathing ramjet, using the missile’s forward speed to compress air and atmospheric oxygen for combustion, reducing onboard oxidiser. Benefits include longer engagement range and sustained high-speed cruise; key elements are booster, SFDR motor and controlled fuel-flow. It is mainly for advanced long-range air-to-air missiles, placing India among a limited group with SFDR capability.

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) study, using fossil evidence, explains decline and present confinement of megaherbivores, especially Indian one-horned rhinoceros, to Kaziranga National Park, noting it was once widespread across the Indian subcontinent but reduced since the Holocene. Kaziranga lies in Assam’s Brahmaputra floodplains between Brahmaputra River and Karbi Hills; reserve forest (1905), UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), Tiger Reserve, Important Bird Area; hosts two-thirds of global one-horned rhinos.

ARCI, Hyderabad, with IIT Hyderabad, under DST (GoI), developed a lead-free, eco-friendly photodetector using double perovskite Cs₂AgBiBr₆ and low-cost carbon electrodes. It is HTM-free, fabricated at room temperature via one-step coating, needing no protective layers, vacuum or glovebox. It responds to visible light, is self-powered (no external voltage) and retains >90% performance after 60 days; applications include cameras, wearables, industrial monitoring, security and biomedical imaging, supporting green manufacturing and self-reliance.

MPLADS is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 1993, with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation as nodal ministry. Each MP can recommend works worth Rs 5 crore annually to create durable community assets. Works outside constituency are allowed up to Rs 50 lakh per financial year (Rs 1 crore in severe calamity). eSAKSHI portal (April 1, 2023) enables end-to-end transparency; 15% SC and 7.5% ST mandate applies.