Current Affairs

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026–2035, a joint 10-year forecast of agriculture, biofuels and seafood markets, projects first-generation (food-crop) biofuels made via fermentation/transesterification to dominate through 2035, with second-generation (non-edible, lignocellulosic residues/forestry waste) not gaining much share. By 2035, global ethanol is projected at 162.5 billion litres (maize 61%, sugarcane 22%, molasses 5%, wheat 2%) and biodiesel at 99 billion litres (vegetable oils 69%, used cooking oils/tallow 23%). Biofuel demand may grow 1.4% annually; India, Brazil and Indonesia account for 80% of demand growth.

On July 6, at the 5th Foundation Day of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Union Minister announced setting up India’s first dedicated cooperative life insurance company to expand cooperatives in financial services, provide affordable cover and strengthen financial inclusion, broadening beyond dairy, sugar and fertilisers into Bharat Taxi, insurance and seed systems. It cites IFFCO-Tokio (IFFCO–Japanese JV) precedent; IRDAI approvals/capital are evolving; cooperatives may promote, using 8.5 lakh societies/30 crore members and PACS-as-CSCs, including e-PACS digitisation.

Twelve Indian researchers across three countries discovered a rare bow-and-arrow shaped radio galaxy, RAD-BAARG, ~2 billion light years away, using ultra-sensitive images from the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), a deep low-frequency radio survey. “RAD” refers to the RAD@home citizen-science astronomy platform; “BAARG” denotes Bow and Arrow Radio Galaxy. The ~1.8 million light year-wide object shows asymmetric, distorted jets due to supersonic motion through dense intracluster medium in a complex multi-halo cluster, creating a visible bow shock.

Researchers revalidated the Himalayan pangolin as a distinct extant species, Manis aurita (Family Manidae), earlier treated as a subspecies of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), using genomic and morphological evidence. A cryptic, nocturnal, scaly ant-eating mammal, it is larger (avg 95.2 cm), with smaller ears and shorter, broader nasal bone. Distribution: southern Himalayan foothills (Nepal, South Tibet, Northeast India incl Assam). Lineages diverged ~1.8 million years ago (early Pleistocene) due to climate change; sharp demographic collapse occurred around the 14th century from cooling/aridification. Not separately IUCN-assessed; CITES Appendix I; WPA, 1972 Schedule I; threats include illegal trade and inbreeding.

Angel tax, under Section 56(2)(viib) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, taxes unlisted companies when shares are issued above fair market value; the excess is treated as income and taxed at 30.9%. Introduced in 2012 to curb black money, it saw a 2019 startup exemption (DPIIT recognition; paid-up capital plus premium ≤₹25 crore, excluding NRI/VCF/specified funds). Angel investors need ₹2 crore net worth or >₹25 lakh income (last 3 FY). A document states abolition for all investor classes.

World Bank Group’s Development Data Group released Country Income Classifications for FY2026–2027 based on 2025 GNI per capita, converted using the Atlas method (3-year moving average of inflation-adjusted exchange rates). Thresholds: low ≤USD 1,175; lower-middle USD 1,176–4,635; upper-middle USD 4,636–14,375; high >USD 14,375. India remains lower-middle. Six countries moved up: Jordan, Micronesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam; Togo rose to lower-middle; none moved down. Low-income share fell from 30% to 11% in 2026; categories affect access to concessional finance.

Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship (STS) INS Sudarshini sailed into New York Port for the United States International Naval Review 250 and Sail4th 250 celebrations, linked to Sail 250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore marking the US 250th anniversary. It showcases Lokayan 2026, a 10-month transoceanic expedition covering 13 countries and 18 ports to strengthen maritime cooperation and goodwill. INS Sudarshini, a three-masted barque built by Goa Shipyard Limited, commissioned in 2012, has 20-day endurance and diesel/sail propulsion; sister ship is INS Tarangini.

Forest department rescued a 12-year-old tigress and five cubs from Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, located in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru at the tri-junction of Karnataka–Tamil Nadu–Kerala, forming a Western–Eastern Ghats corridor. Established in 1931 as Venugopala Wildlife Park, it borders Nagarahole (via Kabini reservoir), Mudumalai and Wayanad; rivers Kabini, Moyar, Nugu; peak Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta; dry/moist deciduous forests; teak/rosewood/sandalwood; tiger, leopard, sloth bear; Project Tiger (1973, first nine) and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO WHS).

Researchers from IISER Pune and Savanna Science Foundation discovered a new plant species, Canscora agni (family Gentianaceae; genus Canscora), native to Indian savannas of Western India. Closest relative is C. alata. “Agni” means fire (including in Marathi). A dwarf herb (to 10 cm), it inhabits fire-prone mesic savannas with surface fires every 1–5 years; fire suppression and large-scale tree planting threaten its open grassy habitat.

The Ministry of Rural Development rolled out LokOS (People Operating System) under DAY-NRLM to digitise end-to-end management of SHGs and CBOs, covering member profiles, savings, lending, repayments, livelihoods and convergence initiatives. It registers SHGs, VOs and CLFs, provides Aadhaar- and bank-linked digital IDs, enables role-based approvals and real-time analytics, and captures about ₹2 lakh crore SHG transactions annually. SHE-LEAPS, launched June 2026 under LokOS, supports rural women entrepreneurship.

WHO confirmed a new Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) case in Uganda. MVD (formerly Marburg haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal illness first detected in 1967 (Marburg/Frankfurt, Germany; Belgrade, Serbia). It is caused by Marburg (MARV) and Ravn (RAVV) viruses (Orthomarburgvirus marburgense; Filoviridae, related to Orthoebolavirus). Natural host: Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bat; spreads via caves/mines and body fluids; incubation 2–21 days. CFR averages ~50% (up to 88%); no approved antivirals/vaccines; cAd3-Marburg is in trials.

Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the 7th National Water Awards on the Rashtriya Puraskar portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to recognise work in water conservation and management. Introduced in 2018, the awards are instituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Eligible entities include States, Districts, Urban Local Bodies, Dam-owning agencies and industries. Winners receive a trophy and citation across categories including Best State, District, ULB, project and CSR.

During Bangladesh PM’s China visit, talks covered the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP). Teesta, a Jamuna (Brahmaputra) tributary, rises at Tso Lhamo Lake (Sikkim), flows through Sikkim–West Bengal into Bangladesh and drains to Bay of Bengal; basin hosts 1200 MW Teesta-III. TRCMRP covers 100 km with Chinese funding, near Siliguri Corridor; linked CBMEC may access Bay of Bengal. India–Bangladesh pacts: Ganga Treaty 1996 (30-year, Farakka), Feni 2019 (1.82 cusecs), Kushiyara 2022 (153 cusecs).

Indian Prime Minister will visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand next week. New Zealand is an island country in Oceania, located in the South Pacific southeast of Australia and south of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. It comprises North and South Islands separated by Cook Strait; capital Wellington. Part of Pacific Ring of Fire; climate ranges subtropical north to cool temperate south. Highest peak: Mount Cook (12,316 ft); active volcano: Mount Ruapehu; largest glacier: Tasman; largest natural lake: Taupō; resources include gold, silver, iron sands, phosphate and limestone.

SEBI’s Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) have crossed ₹13,814 crore in assets under management. Introduced via amendments to the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, SIFs bridge regular mutual funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS), with a ₹10 lakh minimum investment per investor. They offer equity, debt or hybrid strategies (one per category). AMC eligibility: 3 years’ operation with average ₹10,000 crore AUM, or a CIO (10 years; ≥₹5,000 crore) plus a fund manager (3 years; ≥₹500 crore).

Odisha Forest Department’s wildlife wing has put on hold the Indian gaur (bison) translocation programme in Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary due to anthropogenic pressure, especially cattle presence. Chandaka lies on Bhubaneswar’s outskirts, at the northeastern limits of the Eastern Ghats, and was declared to preserve wild elephants and habitats. Kumarkhunti reservoir is its only summer water source; vegetation mixes evergreen and deciduous elements; fauna includes elephants, chital, sloth bear, pangolin, python and peafowl.

India enabled its first satellite-based landing system approach on a commercial jet using GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation), an indigenous SBAS developed by ISRO and Airports Authority of India. It provides real-time GPS correction and integrity information and is the first SBAS certified for the equatorial region. Infrastructure: 15 INRES, 2 INMCC, 3 INLUS; space segment: GSAT-8/10/15. Coverage: Indian FIR and ~1500 km beyond; interoperable with WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS.

Giant African snail (Lissachatina fulica) is rapidly spreading in Tirunavaya Panchayat, Kerala, raising student health concerns. An invasive species in India, it is native to Eastern Africa; introduced to India in 1847 and reached Madras in early 1900s. First reported in Kerala in the 1950s at Elapully, Palakkad, with spread waves in the 1970s and 2005. It damages 500+ crops and carries pathogens, including rat lungworm (meningitis) and bacteria linked to septicemia/peritonitis; IUCN lists it among 100 worst invasive alien species (not Red Listed).

Rare Caspian cobra (Naja oxiana; family Elapidae), endemic to Central Asia, was spotted in the upper forest range of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. In India it is exceptionally rare, confined to far northwestern pockets including Jammu & Kashmir and parts of Himachal. It prefers arid/semi-arid rocky scrub. Venom is rich in neurotoxins. IUCN: Near Threatened; CITES Appendix II; threatened by habitat fragmentation and development.

On July 1, 2026, the Office of the Registrar General of India released the Civil Registration System (CRS) report 2024, giving national/state data on birth/death registration, sex ratio at birth (girls per 1,000 boys) and stillbirths. In 2024, birth registration was 99.1% and death registration 99.4%; registered births 254.7 lakh and deaths 89.4 lakh. SRB averaged 917; highest Arunachal Pradesh (1,050), lowest 865 (Nagaland, Lakshadweep). Stillbirths: 81,117 (69% urban). Registration is mandatory under the RBD Act, 1969; CRS functions under ORGI, MHA.

Borjuli wetland in Sonitpur district, Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, by the State Government in consultation with local bodies. Biodiversity Heritage Sites are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems with rich biodiversity (including high endemism and threatened species). Borjuli harbours wild rice Oryza rufipogon, progenitor of cultivated Oryza sativa, with disease/pest resistance and flood and salinity tolerance. The National Biodiversity Authority (MoEF) advises on selection and management.

Vikram-1, developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, is India’s first privately developed orbital-class rocket. Its maiden test flight, Mission Aagaman, is scheduled for July 12–August 4, 2026, from SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), carrying domestic and international payloads to a 450 km, 60° orbit. It aims to validate propulsion, stage separation, guidance/navigation for commercial operations; it is a multi-stage carbon-composite vehicle (350 kg to LEO), autonomous, using solid/liquid 3D-printed engines. Skyroot’s Vikram-S reached space from Indian soil in 2022.

The National Task Force (NTF) on Mental Health of Students and Prevention of Suicides in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) recently conducted field visits. Constituted under the Supreme Court of India in 2025, it is an expert committee to address student mental health crises, discrimination and suicides nationwide. It focuses on ST, OBC, disabled and marginalized students, consults on caste and gender issues, decriminalization of suicide, and aligns with Article 21 and NEP goals.

Commerce and Industry Minister witnessed launch of UPI services at Eurobank headquarters, Athens, Greece, under a Eurobank–NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) partnership enabling UPI-based, instant, secure, low-cost transfers for eligible customers. UPI, developed by NPCI and regulated by RBI, uses IMPS and AEPS. UPI is adopted in Singapore, UAE, France, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Greece. India–Greece Economic Engagement Business Council/Forum met at Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with sectoral roundtables on infrastructure, digital innovation and defence, and food processing and agriculture.

On 29 June 2026, India can observe the June full moon, traditionally called the “Strawberry Moon”, named by Native American Algonquian tribes for the wild-strawberry harvest season. It does not actually enlarge; the “Moon illusion” makes it seem bigger near the horizon. It is not pink; atmospheric scattering can give a golden/orange glow. It follows the year’s lowest sky path, with a low-arc micro-moon; visible across most of India under clear skies, best from open, low-light-pollution sites.