Current Affairs

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the Livestock Insurance Portal in New Delhi as an initiative under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It provides a single integrated, technology-driven platform for animals covered under the Livestock Insurance Scheme, enabling policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting. Available in Hindi, English and 11 regional languages, it improves coordination, real-time monitoring, data-driven management and risk protection for livestock farmers.

World Economic Forum, with Zurich Insurance Group, released the biennial Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026 covering 110 economies. Evolved from WEF’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (2007-2019) and relaunched in 2022, TTDI assesses conditions for sustainable, resilient tourism (not tourist volume). Japan ranked 1st; India rose to 31st (39th in 2024). India’s strengths include low costs, cultural resources and natural attractions; gaps: skills, sustainability and infrastructure.

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the Inception Workshop for 6th cycle Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves (MEE-TR 2026) in New Delhi; organised by NTCA with Wildlife Institute of India; Technical Manual released. Cycle expands to all 58 notified tiger reserves. Adapted from IUCN-WCPA; evaluates context, planning, inputs, processes, outputs, outcomes. Past cycles: 2006(28), 2010(39), 2014(43), 2018(50), 2022(51); Periyar topped 2022 (94.38%); quadrennial claim. New mandatory solid-waste criterion (camps, tourism corridors, rescue-centre biomedical/organic waste); evidence via remote sensing, geo-tagged logs, spatial platforms; teams include communities, youth, sociologists, retired officers, scientists; scrutinises Section 38V (WPA 1972) relocation and Eco-Development Committees; bands: Excellent ≥90, Very Good 75-89, Good 60-74, Fair 50–59.

Oxford Economics’ annual Global Cities Index 2026 ranks 1,000 cities on Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance, assessing current performance and future potential. Top five: New York, London, Paris, Seattle, San Francisco. India has ~100 cities; key ranks: Delhi 268, Bengaluru 311 (+20; “City to Watch”), Mumbai 330, Chennai 381, Hyderabad 421, Pune 427. Delhi: 63rd-largest economy; 13th in Human Capital; 2nd-worst air quality; projected 14th by 2050 (>USD 2 trillion). Mumbai leads India in corporate HQs (23rd). Low infrastructure, QoL and income equality depress rankings.

India co-hosted the launch of OneSCD, a global partnership to advance equity and transform sickle cell disease (SCD) care, on the sidelines of UNGA 81 in New York. OneSCD emphasises population-wide screening to identify affected persons and carriers, early diagnosis, counselling, treatment and follow-up, addressing residence and socio-economic barriers. It aligns with India’s National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (2023), targeting elimination by 2047 through integrated, equitable care. SCD is a hereditary haemoglobin disorder causing sickled RBCs, anaemia and recurrent pain.

Under Mission Pégase 26, the French Air and Space Force deployed to Air Force Station, Jodhpur: four Rafale F4 fighters, three A330 MRTT Phénix aircraft and two A400M Atlas aircraft, with about 300 personnel. The seventh edition runs September 8–October 15, covers over 40,000 km, linking the Arctic–Indo-Pacific–Middle East route, aiming at readiness, partnerships and freedom of air navigation. In India, it joins IAF’s multinational Tarang Shakti 2026 across Jodhpur and adjoining bases.

TRAI launched the Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) Platform, an integrated digital interface to rate digital connectivity of residential, commercial and government properties, including constructed and under-construction. It brings Property Managers, registered Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) and consumers on one portal. PMs register properties, apply, upload documents, select DCRA and track status. DCRAs assess via mobile app. Consumers search by name/certificate ID/location and verify digitally signed certificates via QR code.

COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye (9-20 November 2026) will prioritise global electrification, alongside waste reduction and climate-resilient buildings. The proposed COP31 “35-by-35” pledge targets raising electricity’s share in global final energy demand from ~23% to 35% by 2035. An IEA report cites declining technology costs; IPCC links electrification to net-zero systems. 1.5°C pathways project 48-58% by 2050; IEA scenario estimates ~40% end-use emissions fall by 2035. About 730 million lack electricity access.

Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body under Article 324, empowered for “superintendence, direction and control” of electoral rolls and elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and President/Vice-President. Since 1993, it has three members (CEC+2 ECs). The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 (Sections 17-18) mandates unanimity “as far as possible”, else majority; each has one vote; no CEC casting vote. T.N. Seshan v Union of India (1995) affirmed equal status. Dissents may be recorded; past differences include 2009 Navin Chawla removal request and Ashok Lavasa’s 2019 dissents (resigned 2020). In 2025 SIR, EC Sukhbir Singh Sandhu cautioned against harassment of vulnerable groups; decision reported unanimous.

Indian Coast Guard OPV ICGS Shaunak (Samarth-class) sailed from Chennai to Perth for the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission with India, Australia, Japan and the US to enhance maritime interoperability via shipboard activities and professional exchanges. Six Sea Riders embarked (India-2, Japan-2, Australia-1, US-1). Indigenously built by Goa Shipyard Ltd, commissioned 21 Feb 2017; based Visakhapatnam under CG Region (East) for EEZ surveillance. Specs: 105 m, 2500 t, 2×9100 kW; 26 knots, 6500 NM; 30 mm CRN-91; supports helicopters, boats, oil-spill response; aligns with MAHASAGAR.

Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, and Arizona State University reported observational evidence that relativistic jets from central supermassive black holes heat the circumgalactic medium (CGM), a diffuse gas-dust halo extending 10-20 times beyond a galaxy’s stellar disk and serving as its main gas reservoir. Jet-CGM collisions create shocks with two excitation peaks (inner disk boundary and outer CGM edge), preventing cooling, suppressing star formation, and driving AGN-feedback evolution toward passive elliptical galaxies.

At the Global Cooling Pledge Assembly 2026 in Singapore, the inaugural Cool Leaders Award, established under the UNEP Cool Coalition, will globally recognise leadership in sustainable cooling and protection from extreme heat. First Cool Leaders: Singapore (passive cooling, heat resilience), UAE (district cooling, global policy), and Dong Mingzhu of Gree Electric (ultra-efficient low-carbon technologies, Zero Carbon Source air-conditioning). UNEP Cool Coalition (2019) is a 250+ actor platform aligned with Paris Agreement, Kigali Amendment and 2030 Agenda.

External Affairs Minister chaired the Foreign Ministers’ meeting of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York. FIPIC, India’s multilateral platform with 14 Pacific Island countries, was established in 2014 during the PM’s Fiji visit, aligned with Act East Policy. Annual trade is about $300 million. Summits: 2014 Suva, 2015 Jaipur, 2023 Port Moresby.

ARIES (Nainital) studied broadband X-ray emission from four classical TeV blazars-Mrk 421, Mrk 501, PG 1553+113 and PKS 2155-304 (very-high-energy gamma-ray emitting AGN)-using NASA’s NICER (soft) and NuSTAR (hard). In moderate-to-low states of Mrk 421/501, an extra low-energy component indicated accretion-disk contribution (first direct evidence in Mrk 501); Mrk 421 also showed an unresolved Gaussian feature. PG 1553+113 and PKS 2155-304 followed synchrotron models, challenging jet-only assumptions.

Japan’s Prime Minister called for removing World War II-era “enemy State” clauses from the UN Charter. These provisions allow allied nations (USA, Britain, France) to take coercive or military action against Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) without prior UN Security Council approval. They are contained in Articles 53, 77 and 107. The UNGA recognised them as “obsolete” in 1995 and adopted a 2005 resolution to delete such references.

Make in India, launched on 25 September 2014, completed 12 years, aiming to position India as a global hub for manufacturing, design and innovation. Make in India 2.0 covers 27 sectors. As of June 2026, 14 PLI schemes attracted ₹2.40 lakh crore investment and created over 14 lakh jobs. Manufacturing share in GVA rose from 14.6% (2022-23) to 15.6% (2025-26); non-petroleum exports reached $388.3 billion, but global share stayed ~1.7%. Key allocations: Semicon 2.0 ₹1,27,500 crore; BHAVYA ₹33,660 crore; rare-earth magnets ₹7,280 crore.

Opposition plans removal motions against CEC Gyanesh Kumar after reports of internal dissent by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi on ECI decisions/SIR processes. ECI has three commissioners. Appointments under Article 324 and the 2023 Act are by President on a committee (PM, LoP, Cabinet Minister); tenure 6 years/65. CEC removal (Article 324(5)/Section 11(2)) mirrors SC judge: proved misbehaviour / incapacity; notice needs 100 LS/50 RS signatures; presiding officer may admit / reject, then inquiry; requires two‑thirds present and voting in both Houses; President must order removal. No CEC impeached; March 2026 motions (130 LS, 63 RS) were rejected in April 2026 without reasons.

Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd. (SMFCL), financing arm linked to the Sagarmala programme under PM GatiShakti, plans India’s first blue bond issue to raise up to ₹1,000 crore; SEBI recognises blue bonds as sustainable finance instruments. Blue bonds raise investor funds with interest and principal repayment, but proceeds must be earmarked for identified water- and ocean-related projects. Issuers need a disclosure framework, impact measurement and periodic reporting to prevent “bluewashing”; funds are limited to Sagarmala projects with measurable sustainability outcomes.

Ministry of Rural Development will start DDU-GKY 2.0 training batches across most States/UTs from October 2026; upgraded guidelines were notified in May 2025. A Centrally Sponsored Scheme (launched 25 September 2014) under NRLM, it provides placement-linked skill training to poor rural youth (15-35), with mandatory coverage: SC/ST 50%, women 33%, PwD 5%. Sectors are industry-driven. Roshni covers MHA-notified LWE districts (residential; 40% women; extended to Aspirational Districts). Himayat applies to J&K and Ladakh (100% central funding; BPL/APL; wage/self/gig; MMUs). Allocation earmarks 10% for NE; hard areas get Special Area Allowance plus 10% extra base training cost.

DRDO signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement with a start-up under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) for indigenous development of a dilution refrigerator. TDF (Make in India) promotes defence self-reliance; governed by the Ministry of Defence and executed by DRDO; maximum development period 4 years; project cost considered up to ₹50 crore with funding up to 90%. Eligible India-registered public/private company, partnership, LLP, OPC or proprietorship must be owned/controlled by resident Indians; foreign investment >49% ineligible. Start-ups must be DPIIT-recognised, with at least 51% resident shareholding; nascent (<3 years) start-ups need govt-assisted incubation and must not have similar-technology grants.

INS Trishul reached Toulon, France, to participate in VARUNA 2025, the 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy, with engagements in harbour and at sea, including cross-deck visits and operational interactions. INS Trishul is a 3,700-tonne Talwar-class guided missile frigate (in service since 2003), capable of 30+ knots and 30-day endurance, armed with KBSM 3S-14NE VLS and BrahMos PJ-10 AShCM.

Rotterdam Convention’s Chemical Review Committee (CRC) adopted a Decision Guidance Document (DGD) on methyl parathion at its 22nd meeting in Rome (Italy), forwarding it to the Conference of the Parties (COP). If approved, it will be subject to the legally binding Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure. Convention adopted 10 September 1998, in force 24 February 2004; promotes shared responsibility in hazardous chemical/pesticide trade; PIC enables information exchange and informed import decisions, not universal bans. Brazil bans it; EU disallows sale/use; exposure may cause severe neuro-respiratory toxicity, coma/death, and reproductive/mutagenic effects.

At the 2nd FIPIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York (alongside the 81st UNGA), India proposed customised capacity-building for Pacific Island Countries. Initiatives include a 100-bed hospital in Fiji; hemodialysis machines to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Palau, Nauru, Kiribati and Marshall Islands; 20 sea ambulances by March 2027; Fiji limb camp (~650); Indian Pharmacopoeia recognised by Fiji, Nauru, Solomon Islands; IT Centres in 8 PICs; solarisation of 2,800 households in 14 PICs; 70 women trained; proposed space centre (PNG) and ocean institute (University of the South Pacific); 20 India-UN Fund projects (3 ongoing); QIPs proposals from 7 states; cooperation via ISA/CDRI; support for the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

India rejected unwarranted and factually incorrect references to India in a Joint Communiqué of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, issued under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) framework. OIC, the second largest organisation after the UN, has 57 member states across four continents. Established in 1969 at Rabat, Morocco, it promotes Muslim-world interests, peace and harmony; membership is for Muslim-majority UN members.

India rejected unwarranted and factually incorrect references to India in a Joint Communiqué of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, issued under the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) framework. OIC, the second largest organisation after the UN, has 57 member states across four continents. Established in 1969 at Rabat, Morocco, it promotes Muslim-world interests, peace and harmony; membership is for Muslim-majority UN members.

OECD raised India’s growth forecast for 2026-27 to 7.1% from 6.3%. OECD, successor to OEEC, was established by a convention signed on 14 December 1960 and effective from 30 September 1961; signed by 18 European countries, the US and Canada. It has 38 members, headquarters in Paris, and works via Council, Secretariat and committees without enforcement powers. India is an OECD Key Partner since 2007.