Current Affairs

Recently, 416 marriages were solemnised in a day at Guruvayur Temple, Guruvayur (Thrissur, Kerala), the “Dwarka of the South”, dedicated to Guruvayurappan (Vishnu as Baby Krishna) and among India’s largest daily-footfall shrines. It has Kerala-style gabled-roof architecture, Nalambalam, Balikkal, Deepastambam, 17th-century murals, and ~70-ft gold-plated Dwajasthamba; offers Thulabharam. It keeps captive male Asian elephants; nearby Punnathur Kotta has 56. References occur in 14th-century Tamil Kokasandesam; earliest recorded history: 17th century. Present structure rebuilt 1638; Dutch plunder/fire 1716; rebuilt 1747; captured 1766 with 10,000-fanam ransom; shrines destroyed/fire 1789; idol reinstalled 1792.

ISRO plans to launch GISAT-1A (EOS-05) in September 2026 as replacement mission F17, after GISAT-1/EOS-03 (August 2021, GSLV Mk-II) failed when the cryogenic upper stage did not start due to a valve leak lowering liquid-hydrogen tank pressure (LH2 fuel, LOX oxidiser). GISAT provides wide-area, near-continuous subcontinent imaging for floods, cyclones, agriculture and forestry. Recent PSLV-C61 (EOS-09, May 2025) and PSLV-C62 (N1, January 2026) failed in third-stage anomalies; launches paused for investigation.

MeitY notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with an outlay of ₹62,500 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 to scale manufacturing, deepen value addition and strengthen supply chains (domestic share >99.2%). It has TS1 (2.25%-5% incentive) and TS2 (5% + 3% for Indian design/R&D), plus up to 1.5% for domestic sourcing; TS2 needs Indian ownership / control, IP, in-house R&D, with one-year gestation. Eligibility: FY 2025-26 turnover ₹10,000 crore (TS1) or ₹1,000 crore (TS2); EMS registered in India may apply; localized components must be ≥25%. Expected: ~₹39 lakh crore production, ~60,000 direct jobs, higher exports.

Ministry of Rural Development launched National Campaign on Entrepreneurship-II as a 3-month drive to promote rural SHG women’s entrepreneurship towards creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis, covering farm and non-farm enterprises and SHG product marketing. It strengthens enterprise promotion cadre, formalisation, digital/e-commerce, producer groups, and issues monthly “Sankalp Shakti” bulletin. CRP-EPs/BDSPs are recognised as “Udyam Sakhis”. Targets: train 5 lakh women, formalise 50,000 enterprises, onboard 25,000 on e-commerce, encourage 20 lakh in agro-ecological practices; promote via ONDC (open B2C/B2B) and GeM (B2G procurement).

WHO Regional Office for Africa confirmed the end of poliovirus type 2 outbreaks in Burundi, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Congo and Uganda, after independent outbreak assessments. Confirmation followed review of surveillance, laboratory and epidemiological evidence, population immunity and vaccination campaign performance. Burundi strengthened routine immunisation and environmental surveillance; Ghana laboratory capacity; Uganda improved response after 2024 detection; Guinea-Bissau reported no detection since July 2021; Congo’s last detection was December 2023. Risk persists; high vaccination and strong surveillance remain essential. Polio can cause irreversible paralysis.

Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), launched September 2018, strengthens MSP implementation via assured procurement, price stabilisation and market intervention. Components: PSS procures pulses, oilseeds and copra at MSP (NAFED/NCCF on State request; registered farmers with land records) when prices fall below MSP; PSF maintains buffers (pulses, onion, potato) by harvest procurement and lean-season release; PDPS pays MSP-market gap (up to 15% of MSP) to banks without procurement (mainly oilseeds); MIS procures perishables (e.g., tomato/onion/potato) without MSP when prices drop ≥10%, with Centre-State cost-sharing via nodal agencies.

National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2019 for nationwide vaccination and surveillance to control/eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis, with 100% Central funding to States/UTs. Nodal body: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. FMD is a highly contagious viral vesicular disease of cloven-hoofed animals. Brucellosis is a reproductive disease (Brucella abortus). Targets: FMD vaccination twice yearly; Brucellosis vaccination once in lifetime for 4–8 month female bovine calves.

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on maritime security cooperation, creating an operational framework between the Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force across the Indo-Pacific (Indian and Pacific Oceans). It enables real-time maritime domain awareness and intelligence sharing, SLOC protection via ship visits, joint exercises, and reciprocal port/repair access; SAR/HADR using IPLN; joint shipbuilding under Make in India; mine countermeasures; DRDO-ATLA R&D; support for rules-based order, freedom of navigation / overflight; cooperation with integrated theatre commands and special forces; and groundwork for the 2+2 Dialogue in Tokyo.

Ministry of Earth Sciences released the “National Report on Deep-Sea and Distant-Water Fishery Resources of the Indian EEZ,” consolidating ~4 decades of research from 400+ cruises across India’s 2.37 million sq km EEZ under the Marine Living Resources Programme. Using FORV Sagar Sampada, it assesses myctophids driving the biological carbon pump, underexploited demersal stocks beyond 200 m, maps vulnerable hotspots, integrates eDNA, acoustics, satellites, AI, and supports Vision 2047 Blue Economy, SDG 14 and UN Decade of Ocean Science.

A study finds ~1 in 10 butterfly species shifts geographic range or elevation due to environmental change. Drivers: warming pushes movement to higher latitudes/altitudes, phenology mismatch with host plants, drought/heat loss of plants and water, and extreme-weather habitat loss. Survival impacts include shortened migration, population decline and range contraction/fragmentation; some expand in one direction while disappearing elsewhere. Shrinking ranges are documented in Europe/North America; elevation shifts mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. Examples: Tawny Coster (India-Sri Lanka-Bangladesh) spread across Australia ~135 km/year since 2012; Godartiana byses expanded south in Brazil; UK Small Blue contracted; Germany Cranberry Fritillary declined with peat-bog drainage; Romania Danube Clouded Yellow shrank due to intensive agriculture.

NSO’s Annual Report on Improvement of Crop Statistics (ICS) Scheme 2023-24 flags weak Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs), a field method to estimate yield. Only 72% followed prescribed procedures; 28% had lapses. Errors included crop selection/harvesting/weighing (11%) and recording inputs (10%). Village/field replacements, inadequate supervision and untrained staff affected sampling. Report suggests full supervision, training, updating GCES plan and stronger digital monitoring. ICS, launched in 1973-74 by MoSPI and states, is executed by NSO to evaluate crop-area and CCE quality.

NITI Aayog released “India’s Services Sector: Insights on Regulatory Regime in Professional Services” (August 2026). It reviews India’s regulation of professional services (e.g., lawyers, tax advisors, IT consultants) and compares selected foreign countries. It flags unclear regulations, market-entry barriers, competitiveness issues, limited recognition of Indian qualifications, and skill upgradation needs. A four-pronged strategy targets global best practices, value-chain strengthening, emerging trends, and continuous professional development. Professional services contribute nearly one-fourth of India’s services exports.

In State of Karnataka v. Prathik Parasrampuria, the Supreme Court directed measures to curb electoral inducements, money power and political interference in prosecutions. States cannot unilaterally withdraw candidate-related cases; withdrawals need High Court scrutiny. Election-related FIR probes should be fast-tracked (target 1 year) with progress reported to ECI. High Courts must designate special trial courts; trials should conclude before next 5-year cycle. Static Surveillance Teams seizing >₹10 lakh must record reasons, show prima facie electoral link, and inform Income Tax. ECI and states must file compliance by 18 November 2026.

Indian Prime Minister congratulated Hakainde Hichilema on re-election as President of Zambia. Zambia is a landlocked Southern-Central African country; capital Lusaka; sub-tropical climate moderated by high altitude. Borders: DRC (N), Tanzania (NE), Malawi (W), Mozambique (SE), Zimbabwe and Botswana (S), Angola (W), Namibia (SW). Rivers: Zambezi (to Indian Ocean), Kafue, Luangwa; lakes Tanganyika, Kariba; Mafinga Mountains; resources: copper, cobalt, silver, uranium, lead, coal, zinc, gold, emerald.

A workshop on AIKosh was held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. AIKosh is a national platform under the IndiaAI Mission for datasets, AI models and related resources, enabling discoverability, access and responsible use, shared toolkits, use-case showcasing, and an AI sandbox (integrated development environment) with tools and tutorials. Governed by MeitY, the IndiaAI Mission (MeitY–Nasscom, 2023) is implemented by IndiaAI to expand high-end compute access for startups and researchers.

Disability rights groups object to Census 2027 listing only 9 broad disability categories (seeing, hearing, speech, mobility, intellectual disabilities, mental illness, acid attack, chronic neurological disease, blood disorder), though it allows recording up to 3 disabilities by severity. Census 2011 had 7 categories, counting 2.68 crore (2.21%). RPwD Act, 2016 (replacing 1995 Act) recognises 21 disabilities; clubbing (e.g., thalassemia /haemophilia) may under-report and weaken disaggregated data for targeted welfare and budgeting.

A black melanistic leopard cub was spotted near Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary in Darjeeling hills, West Bengal. Established in 1915, it lies in the Gangetic plain biogeographic zone and is a south-east extension of Singalila National Park. The sanctuary has temperate and alpine forests at 1,500–2,600 m, with oak, pine and birch; fauna includes Indian leopard, Himalayan black bear and barking deer. Melanism arises from increased melanin due to genetic mutation or gestational temperature changes.

Centre notified an incentive scheme to accelerate domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) via City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies from 1 September 2026. It incentivises activating unbilled connections and expanding networks, implemented in two tranches over six months; domestic PNG base is 1.74 crore. For each incremental billed connection above area thresholds, CGDs get 200 SCM extra lower-priced APM gas, substituting LNG in CNG, cutting costs and payback (10 to 3 years). Support includes faster approvals, standardised RoW under Natural Gas & Petroleum Distribution Order, 2026, VAT cut to 5%, National PNG Drive 2.0 and a unified registration portal.

National Medical Commission (NMC), headquartered in New Delhi, has proposed a unique ID (UID) for doctors to enable nationwide practice without separate State registrations. Established under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (in force from 25 September 2020), it replaces the Medical Council of India and regulates medical education, professionals and institutions, including qualification recognition, accreditation, practitioner registration, ethics, infrastructure assessment, and fee guidelines for 50% seats in private/deemed institutions, via a Medical Advisory Council and four autonomous boards.

A US report, “The Great Transhipment Scam - Global Evasion and Economic Costs,” alleges Chinese goods are routed via over 40 countries, including India, to evade US tariffs. It flags illegal transhipment (concealing origin) and classifies risks: Tier 1 (India, Mexico, Canada, EU), Tier 2 (Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand), Tier 3 (Cambodia, Panama, UAE). It estimates $67 billion (2025) and $28 billion tariff loss. India’s Pune-Gujarat-Chennai corridor (pumps, compressors) is cited; GTRI urges distinguishing value addition under Rules of Origin amid complex supply chains as the US may tighten customs norms.

In a PIL, the Supreme Court upheld hanging as a constitutionally valid mode for executing death sentences, holding that properly administered hanging does not violate dignity under Article 21 (right to live and die with dignity; Gian Kaur, 1996). It relied on Deena v Union of India (1983) and noted BNSS Section 393(5) retains “hanged by the neck till he is dead”. It rejected claims of pain /unpredictability (England 1882-1945 study) and held no alternative (lethal injection / gas / electrocution / shooting) is clearly superior; Law Commission 187th Report (2003) is non-binding.

For the 80th Independence Day at Delhi’s Red Fort, spectator galleries are named after 25 lakes, including Dimna Lake. Dimna is an artificial lake at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, in the foothills of the Dalma range, built under Tata Steel’s Dimna Nala Water Supply Scheme by damming the Subarnarekha River. Started 1940, completed 1944; first supply on 17 April 1944. Capacity ~7,500 million gallons; area ~27 sq km, near Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the digital initiative “Friends of MY Bharat” through the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform to engage Indian-origin youth globally and link them to nation-building and youth-led programmes. It enables access to volunteering and programme information, including education, environment, health awareness, disaster relief and cultural preservation, and includes a “Know Your India” section. MY Bharat was launched in October 2023.

In Africa’s Sahel (semi-arid belt between the Sahara and tropical savannas), lithium extraction critical for rechargeable batteries in EVs, smartphones and laptops is reportedly funding armed groups amid weak mining oversight. Boko Haram and ISWAP allegedly exploit revenues via taxation, site control and protection payments. Deposits/exploration span Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad; Niger’s 2023 coup reportedly heightened smuggling. Measures suggested: formalise artisanal mining, improve traceability, cross-border intelligence, state control and domestic processing.

Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated a Centre of Excellence for Eri Silk Weaving. Eri (“peace/ahimsa silk”) is spun (not reeled) after the moth leaves the cocoon; wool-like, strong, matte. Produced mainly in NE India; Assam contributes ~65% (also Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh). NEHHDC (Ministry of DoNER) obtained Germany’s Oeko-Tex certification testing harmful substances. Sericulture is commercial silkworm rearing; Central Silk Board (statutory, 1948 Act) HQ Bengaluru, under Ministry of Textiles. India is 2nd-largest silk producer (>41,000 MT/year).