Current Affairs

CII-EY India report flags India’s energy security risks beyond oil and gas to critical minerals, manufacturing, storage and grid. India is fully import-dependent for lithium, cobalt, nickel, silicon, rare earths, gallium, germanium and PGE; 2025-2070 demand: 66 MT copper, 46 MT graphite, 19.5 MT silicon, 11.5 MT nickel. Per capita power use rises 780 kWh (2015-16) to 1,153 (2024-25). Storage investment: USD 1.15 tn (2025-2050), USD 3.3 tn (2051-2070); T&D: USD 2 tn+. Nuclear projected 100 GW by 2047; non-fossil nearing 300 GW, target 500 GW by 2030; PM Surya Ghar boosts rooftop solar. Oil use doubles to 243 MT (FY26); SPR approved 11.8 MT; recommends domestic exploration, processing, recycling, diversified imports and partnerships.

New catfish species Pseudecheneis likimroensis was described from the Likimro river, Kiphire district, Nagaland, in the Tizu-Chindwin drainage of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot. Genus Pseudecheneis comprises rheophilic hill-stream catfishes. About five specimens were collected at 446 m. It has a dorso-ventrally flattened body and adhesive ridges/grooves for boulder-rich torrents; carnivorous. Threats include dynamite/chemical fishing, river modification, coal mining, and overfishing; endemism driven by tectonic uplift and river-course changes.

Government introduced the Indian Statistical Institute Bill, 2026, replacing the Indian Statistical Institute Act, 1959, to overhaul ISI governance. ISI, founded in 1931 by P.C. Mahalanobis and declared an Institution of National Importance in 1959, is currently a society with a 33-member council. The Bill makes ISI a statutory body corporate, with the President as Visitor, a Centre-nominated Board of Governance, an Academic Council, revised director appointment, and Visitor powers; critics cite autonomy concerns.

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs report ‘Cyber Crime – Ramifications, Protection and Prevention’ flags gaps in intermediary grievance redressal, OTT self-regulation, offshore ads, payment fraud probes, CBI jurisdiction, complaint-to-FIR conversion, cyber education and laws. Recommends standardized multilingual grievance system; independent OTT post-release panel with age-verification/parental controls; ad identity checks and zero-trust monitoring; operational CPFIR; amend DSPE Act, 1946; NCRP-to-e-FIR via I4C; graded cyber-safety curriculum; permanent law-review; unified technology-neutral cybercrime law and Integrated Cybercrime Task Force.

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its 166th Report reviewing India’s tribunal system, citing vacancies (ITAT: 27/126 Members, all 7 Deputy Registrars; NGT: 5 Judicial, 6 Expert vs statutory minimum 10 each), contractual overreliance (NCLT >95% admin; TDSAT staff 52 frozen since 2001), rising pendency (ITAT +19,275 in 5 months; NCLT CIRP breaches), weak infrastructure (NCLT below NCMS; RCT lacks capital budget, depends on Zonal Railways), IT gaps (NGT no IT section; NCLT e-portal obsolete; NCLT 2.0; cyber-audits), and access gaps (RCT legal aid 9/23; “Zero FIR” filing).

A Nature Ecology & Evolution global study analysed range shifts in 1,758 butterfly species across 105 countries, linking patterns to climate and human threats. It found 80% expanded and 79% shifted to cooler regions; 27% contracted; 22% showed elevational shifts. Europe is a hotspot (UK: 63% horizontal contraction; Mexico: 39% vertical shifts). India’s Tawny Coster expanded into Australia at 135 km/year. It cites niche conservatism, calls for dynamic conservation (micro-refugia, connectivity) and notes Paris 1.5-2°C relevance.

India and Lesotho held the 6th Joint Commission Meeting in New Delhi, reviewing cooperation in trade/economic relations, development partnership, skilling and capacity building, and coordination in regional and multilateral forums; next Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation will meet in Maseru in 2027. Lesotho is a landlocked enclave within South Africa; capital Maseru; in Maloti-Drakensberg; “Kingdom in the Sky”, entirely above 1,400 m, with over 80% above 1,800 m; southernmost landlocked state.

Chhattisgarh has proposed translocating Asiatic wild water buffaloes (Bubalus arnee) from Assam to revive its declining wild buffalo population. The species occurs in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand and Cambodia; in India, major populations are in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, with smaller populations in Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. India hosts >90% of the global population (~3,500–3,700). Habitat includes grasslands, alluvial plains and marshes. It is Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972), IUCN Endangered, and CITES Appendix III.

National Handloom Day is observed on 7 August; 2026 marks the 12th observance, commemorating the 1905 Swadeshi Movement (boycott of foreign goods, indigenous manufacturing, Atmanirbharta). Key programmes: NHDP, SCDP and Mega Cluster Development Programme for weaver welfare, infrastructure, productivity and market linkages. Union Budget 2026-27: National Fibre Scheme, Textile Expansion & Employment Scheme, National Handloom & Handicraft Programme, Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative. Measures include Handloom Marketing Assistance, Weaver MUDRA, PMJJBY/PMSBY, scholarships; Handloom Mark, India Handloom Brand, GI, Handlooms Act 1985, GeM, Indiahandmade portal, 5% GST (selected products). Challenges: powerloom imitation/counterfeiting, low incomes/credit, high input costs, low productivity, middlemen; modernization via traceability (blockchain) and digital integration.

GI and Beyond 2.0 summit showcased India’s GI-tagged handloom/handicraft products and launched the Digital Handloom Atlas (“One Platform. Endless Markets”) to enhance visibility and connect artisans with domestic and international markets. Organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, with HEPC. 

GI certificates: Ladakh Nambu, Ladakh Pashmina, Himachal Gudma, Himachal Lingchay, Jharkhand Bamboo Craft, Jharkhand Tussar Saree/fabrics, Munda Jewellery, Bareilly Terracotta. HEPC Diamond Jubilee logo marked 60 years.

India test-fired the Agni-4 medium-range ballistic missile to demonstrate operational readiness; all critical systems performed as expected. The Agni series evolved from a re-entry vehicle technology demonstrator into a ballistic missile family under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Agni-4, under Strategic Forces Command, has ~4,000 km range and 1,000 kg payload, supporting credible minimum deterrence; ballistic missiles follow powered boost then free-fall trajectory.

The 10th BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting concluded under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, adopting outcomes on industrial cooperation, MSME ecosystems, photovoltaics, startups, and the BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR). It issued a Joint Declaration to strengthen industrial cooperation, adopted an MSME Framework, created a Photovoltaic Working Group, and endorsed a Startup Action Plan, including India’s proposals for a BRICS Incubator Network and Startup Innovation Fund; PartNIR supports practical collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and industrial innovation.

Centre operationalised the E-commerce Export Framework under FTP 2023, allowing inventory in India only for confirmed overseas orders, banning speculative build-up. Exports run via an Exporter-on-Record procuring from Sellers-on-Record and exporting in its name. It mandates seller payments within timelines, visibility of sale/tracking, proportional rebates/refunds, digital traceability preventing domestic diversion, bank compliance certification, and re-export/return/disposal of rejected consignments for manufacturers, traders, MSMEs and artisans.

Union Cabinet approved GOBARdhan as India’s National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, a unified national framework for Compressed Biogas (CBG) with digital governance. It covers agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, municipal organic waste and biomass, converting them into clean fuel, Fermented Organic Manure (FOM)/Liquid FOM and rural income. Growth engines include assured offtake with CNG/PNG blending obligation (3% FY2026-27, 4% FY2027-28, 5% from FY2028-29), administered price ₹2,110/MMBTU (10-year horizon), capital assistance up to ₹2 crore/TPD, pipeline connectivity, credit guarantee and a district-level challenge fund; aims include domestic CBG growth, lower imports and emissions.

Supreme Court issued notice to the Union on petitions by serving CAPF officers (CRPF, BSF, ITBP and others) challenging the Central Armed Police Force (General Administration) Act, 2026. They seek to declare Sections 3 and 4 ultra vires: Section 3 reserves senior posts for IPS (50% IG, 67% ADG, 100% Special DG and DG); Section 4 permits schedule changes by notification. Petitioners cite Articles 14, 16, 21 and separation of powers, alleging override of a binding SC judgment.

India launched its first national Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan on International Clouded Leopard Day (August 4). Prepared under a joint Government of India-GEF-UNDP initiative with the Wildlife Institute of India, it identifies 14 conservation zones in Northeast India, mandates surveys (camera traps, occupancy modelling, genetic analysis, eDNA), uses M-STrIPES for anti-poaching patrol monitoring, adopts adaptive management for high-altitude habitats, and reduces conflict. Species: Neofelis nebulosa/Neofelis diardi; IUCN: Vulnerable; <10,000 mature individuals. The day was instituted in 2018 by the Aspinall Foundation (UK), highlighting deforestation and illegal trade.

IN-SPACe issued guidelines mandating authorisation for planned re-entry (controlled return of satellites/launch vehicles/space objects with managed landing area, time or trajectory), unlike uncontrolled atmospheric decay. Indian entities need approval even outside India; foreign entities only via Indian-incorporated firms. Casualty risk must be <1/10,000, with mandatory third-party liability insurance and full company risk. Disclose intent at application, re-verify 3 months prior; late decisions apply ≥6 months before. Full burn-up disposals exempt. Submit mission/trajectory, de-orbit/failure, fragmentation/survivability, casualty/reliability, danger zones/mitigation; IN-SPACe advisory enables NOTAMs and maritime notices; amend authorisation if parameters change.

A Union Health Ministry study with partner organisations recommends introducing a hexavalent (six-in-one) vaccine under the Universal Immunisation Programme to reduce infant injections. It combines protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Hepatitis B, Hib and polio, improving operational efficiency, saving time and easing frontline workload. It notes system-level savings if price falls 50%, and scenarios replacing pentavalent plus fractional IPV and using a hexavalent booster.

Scientists at ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD) developed India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine, a live attenuated, MA-104 cell line-based vaccine. ASF is a highly contagious viral disease caused by African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), affecting only domestic and wild pigs, with mortality up to 100% and no human health risk. It spreads via infected pigs, contaminated pork products, fomites and soft ticks, causing severe economic losses; the vaccine strengthens preparedness, livelihoods, swine industry and veterinary biotechnology.

India will host the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, becoming the first Asian nation to host CWG more than once (after Delhi 2010). Held every four years, CWG began as the British Empire Games; first edition: Canada (1930); India debuted in the 2nd edition (1934). 72 CGAs participate; hosts may add up to two sports. The Commonwealth has 56 members; London Declaration (1949) enabled republics; Gabon and Togo joined in 2022.

India and Uzbekistan aim to more than double bilateral trade in the next three years. Uzbekistan’s capital is Tashkent. Located in Central Asia, it is one of only two doubly landlocked countries. It borders Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Aral Sea lies between southern Kazakhstan and northern Uzbekistan; major rivers Amu Darya, Syr Darya; lakes Ayddrkul, Sarykamish; KyzylKum Desert; highest peak Hazrat Sultan; resources include gold, zinc, lead, copper, uranium, tungsten; oil-gas in Tadzhik-Fergana and Amu Darya basins.

India reported near-universal banking access: 99.92% inhabited villages (6,00,868 of 6,01,328) have a banking outlet within 5 km. Network includes 1.81 lakh+ branches, 17.36 lakh Business Correspondents and 1.65 lakh IPPB centres. PMJDY has 58.77 crore accounts with ₹3.12 lakh crore deposits; JAM supports DBT. RBI permits branch opening without prior approval, with 25% in unbanked rural areas. Jan Dhan Darshak offers GIS mapping; Jan Samarth enables credit schemes; Kisan Rin Portal supports Aadhaar-based KCC verification. IDPIC uses AI for fraud detection; cyber fraud reporting via National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and 1930 helpline.

A third-party assessment reports that the Kisan Credit Card–Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (KCC-MISS) improves agricultural productivity, income diversification and access to affordable credit. Governed by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, it operates through banks under the KCC framework. It provides 1.5% interest subvention to banks on short-term crop loans up to ₹3 lakh; farmers pay 7% interest, with 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive lowering effective rate to 4%.

Supreme Court held IPC Section 498A covers women in live-in relationships “in the nature of marriage,” enabling prosecution for domestic cruelty. Section 498A (IPC, 1860) criminalises cruelty by husband/relatives, including physical or mental cruelty and dowry-related harassment; it is cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Section 498A is replaced by Sections 85 and 86, continuing punishment for such cruelty.

Agrivoltaics, seen as balancing rising energy demand with food security, involves using the same land for solar photovoltaic power generation and agriculture via elevated solar panel structures. The term was coined in 1981 by German scientists Adolf Goetzberger and Armin Zastrow. Panels enable machinery operation beneath, with crops in partial shade, improving dual land-use efficiency, farmer income, and microclimates reducing water loss and heat stress.