Current Affairs

Bioluminescence, increasingly reported on Indian coasts (Goa, Maharashtra) and Western Ghats forests, is light emission by organisms via luciferase-driven oxidation of luciferin; some (squid, anglerfish) use symbiotic bacteria. It occurs in ~76% marine animals, rarely in freshwater, producing “cold light”. Uses include prey/mate attraction, camouflage, defence (glowing mucus) and fungal spore dispersal. Examples: fireflies, dinoflagellates on Indian beaches. WWI soldiers used glow worms for maps; light pollution disrupts cycles.

National Anubhav Awards 2026 campaign recorded a high number of published write-ups; entries will be honoured. Launched in March 2015, it is administered by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to recognise retiring/retired employees and document administrative history via best practices and insights. Eligible: retiring within 8 months or retired within 3 years (Central Government/CPSU/PSBs). Requires a 5,000-word portal write-up; Tier-I (40 marks) and Tier-II evaluation, with NOCs/IB/Secretary clearance. Final authority: Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare. Awards: National Award (medal, certificate, ₹10,000) and Jury Certificate; 63 awards and 29 jury certificates so far.

Gujarat became the second state after Uttarakhand to adopt a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) through a recently passed bill. UCC, envisaged under Article 44 (DPSP), seeks a common framework for marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and live-in relationships irrespective of religion. It exempts Scheduled Tribes and constitutionally protected customary groups, prohibits bigamy, and mandates live-in registration. Goa follows the Portuguese Civil Code, 1867; courts cited UCC in Shah Bano (1985) and Sarla Mudgal (1995); concerns include religious freedom, diversity and consensus.

Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise on St. Helena, trended globally after death rumours, highlighting longevity and conservation. The species (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) belongs to family Testudinidae, also called Seychelles giant tortoise. It inhabits grasslands, scrub forests and coastal dunes, is native to Seychelles with largest population on Aldabra Atoll, and introduced elsewhere. Males reach 250 kg. IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: Appendix II; threats include habitat loss, illegal hunting and climate change.

A Union Minister unveiled a roadmap to reduce dependence on imported petroleum, ammonia and fertilisers, highlighting the Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme. Approved in 2024 with an outlay of ₹8,500 crore, it promotes coal and lignite gasification to produce syngas and value-added products. It covers public and private projects under three categories: Category I PSU-led, Category II private and PSU, and Category III demonstration and small-scale projects.

The Election Commission of India issued the Election Symbols (Amendment) Order, 2026, relaxing criteria for Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) to retain a common election symbol. RUPPs can now retain a symbol with at least 1% vote share in either of the last two elections; earlier, 1% was required in both Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. RUPPs remain unrecognised and lack reserved-symbol and other benefits.

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in Lok Sabha (nodal: Ministry of Home Affairs), tightens regulation and accountability of foreign contributions (currency, security or specified-value articles) from foreign governments/agencies, companies, trusts/societies and foreign citizens. On non-renewal/expiry/denial, registration ceases and contributions/assets vest in a Designated Authority; unutilised amounts return on restoration, else permanent vesting for public purposes/transfer/disposal with proceeds to Consolidated Fund of India. Duties include inspection and no transfer without approval; appeal to District Judge within 90 days; Centre may exempt in public interest. Prohibition extends to persons producing/broadcasting news/current affairs; max imprisonment reduced to 1 year and prior government approval required before investigation.

MSME TEAM Initiative (2024–FY 2024-27) is a sub-scheme under the World Bank-supported central sector RAMP scheme of the Ministry of MSME, implemented by NSIC. It aims pan-India onboarding of 5 lakh Udyam-registered Micro and Small Enterprises onto ONDC, with 50% women-owned. Support includes district workshops, TEAM Portal/Seller Network Participants, training (digital marketing, SEO, online dispute resolution), regional-language tools, and subsidies of ₹2,500 (cataloguing) and ₹5,000 (account management).

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), signed in 2022, expands market access and trade. It targets India’s exports to Australia rising from USD 4 billion (FY 2020–21) to USD 8.5 billion (FY 2024–25) and total trade of USD 19.3 billion in FY 2025–26 (up to February). India grants access on 70.3% tariff lines; Australia on 100%, with zero-duty for all Indian exports from 1 January 2026. Gains span textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and agriculture; includes an organic-sector Mutual Recognition Arrangement. Wider cooperation continues via Quad, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership, 2+2 dialogue, AUSINDEX, 2021 Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, and Critical Minerals Investment Partnership including renewables/green hydrogen.

Punjab and Haryana High Court held that promotion is not a fundamental right, but the right to be considered for promotion is constitutionally protected under Article 14 and Article 16(1), covering the full service span. Citing Ajit Singh vs State of Punjab, it noted eligible employees in the zone of consideration must be assessed by DPC. In Kulwant Singh, exclusion due to rule misinterpretation warranted notional, retrospective promotion and regular DPC meetings.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Indonesia, causing casualties and underscoring its high seismic risk due to tectonic plate convergence in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Indonesia’s capital is Jakarta; it lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans off mainland Southeast Asia. Major islands include Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua; it borders East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia, is a NAM founding member with India, has 100+ active volcanoes (Merapi, Krakatoa) and a tropical equatorial climate.

Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (MHA) announced Census 2027 from 1 April 2026: self-enumeration, then house listing/housing census and population enumeration; digital collection via apps/portal; supervised by Census Management and Monitoring System. Union subject (Seventh Schedule), under Census Act, 1948; decennial; first delayed by six years. Coverage: 28 States, 8 UTs, 784 districts, 5127 statutory towns, 4580 census towns, 639902 villages; 33 items. RGI (1949) also handles CRS, NPR, MTS, SRS; NPR under Citizenship Rules, 2003; NPR≠NRC; caste data differs from SECC 2011.

ISRO opened registrations for YUVIKA 2026 (Young Scientist Programme); Union Minister highlighted its role in inspiring school students towards space/STEM careers. Launched 2019, implemented by ISRO and administered by Department of Space, it targets Class 9 through a 2-week residential programme at VSSC Thiruvananthapuram, URSC Bengaluru, SDSC SHAR Sriharikota, SAC Ahmedabad, NRSC Hyderabad, NE-SAC Shillong, IIRS Dehradun, IPRC Mahendragiri and RRSC Jodhpur; covers satellite/propulsion/astrophysics/missions, model rocketry and facility visits; fully funded with II AC fare reimbursement; 15% seats for rural/remote students.

Indian Navy inducted INS Agray, the 4th Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (Arnala-class; 8 ships) designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, with over 80% indigenous content involving MSMEs. Built to Indian Register of Shipping rules, it is optimised for shallow coastal waters, with waterjet propulsion and low acoustic signature. Roles include ASW, coastal surveillance, mine detection/neutralisation, and fleet escort, using advanced sonars, indigenous rocket launchers and lightweight torpedoes; named after decommissioned INS Agray (2017).

Atoms4NetZero is a global initiative launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency in January 2025 at COP27, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to help countries integrate nuclear energy into net zero strategies. It involves IAEA member states, industry, financial institutions and international organisations, focusing on decarbonising electricity, industry and transport, and strengthening energy security, using MESSAGE and FRAMES models, expert missions and capacity building. Nuclear power supplies ~10% of global electricity and 25% of low-carbon electricity.

India amended the Income Tax Rules, 2026 under the Income Tax Act, 2025 to clarify GAAR grandfathering by excluding investments made before 1 April 2017, removing ambiguity in tax treatment. GAAR, introduced through the Finance Act, 2012 and effective from April 2017, targets aggressive tax avoidance, per Parthasarathi Shome Committee; applies when annual tax benefit exceeds ₹3 crore and arrangements lack commercial substance or abuse law.

A United Nations Convention granted international protection to the Snowy Owl and 40 other species, reflecting heightened global conservation focus. Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is native to Arctic North America, Europe and Asia, migrating in winter to southern Canada, northern USA and parts of Eurasia. It breeds in tundra and winters in marshes/beaches/fields. IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: Appendix II. Threats include climate change, habitat disturbance and prey decline.

Indian Navy received INS Dunagiri, the fifth Nilgiri-class stealth frigate under Project 17A (seven guided-missile frigates). Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, Kolkata; designed by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and overseen by Warship Overseeing Team, Kolkata. It has 75% indigenisation, involving 200+ MSMEs and 5,000+ jobs. Named after Leander-class INS Dunagiri (1977–2010). Equipped with BrahMos, MFSTAR, MRSAM, 76 mm SRGM, CIWS, rockets/torpedoes; CODAG propulsion with controllable pitch propellers; IPMS automation; roles include air/surface/sub-surface warfare, sea control/denial, security, surveillance, escort, HADR.

On Shyamji Krishna Varma’s death anniversary, the Prime Minister paid homage, highlighting his role in India’s freedom struggle. Born 4 October 1857 at Mandvi, Gujarat, he was the first Indian to earn an Oxford M.A., practised at Bombay High Court, and was influenced by Swami Dayanand Saraswati (first President, Bombay Arya Samaj). From Europe, he founded the Indian Home Rule Society and India House (London, 1905), published ‘The Indian Sociologist’, advocated Swaraj and complete independence, later worked from Paris/Geneva, died 31 March 1930 in Paris; Kranti Teerth memorial (2010) stands near Mandvi.

India signed green ammonia supply agreements among industry, SECI and fertiliser companies under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Green ammonia is carbon-free ammonia made by producing hydrogen via renewable-energy electrolysis, extracting nitrogen from air and synthesising under high pressure with a catalyst; types include grey, blue and green. Agreements ensure long-term supply of 7,24,000 tonnes/year to fertiliser units at ₹49.75–64.74/kg, saving $2.5 billion in 10 years. Mission targets 5 MMT green hydrogen/year by 2030; SIGHT provides incentives.

Jan Vishwas Bill, introduced in Lok Sabha in March 2026 by the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, aims to decriminalise minor offences and promote ease of doing business and ease of living. Administered by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, it rationalises over 1000 offences, amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts (23 ministries), decriminalises 717 provisions, including 67 ease-of-living amendments under the NDMC Act, 1994 and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, shifting to civil/administrative penalties. Background: Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 (183 provisions/42 Acts) and Jan Vishwas Bill, 2025 (355 amendments/16 Acts; Select Committee).

India is a global leader in issuing Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol, issuing 3,561 of 6,311 globally (>56%); France 964, Spain 320. The legally binding CBD protocol, adopted at Nagoya (Japan) in October 2010 and in force from 12 October 2014, ensures fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources/traditional knowledge via prior informed consent, mutually agreed terms and compliance. India ratified in 2012; implemented through the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (NBA, SBBs/UT Councils, BMCs), with IRCCs uploaded on the ABS Clearing-House. India submitted its first national implementation report in 2026.

MoEFCC notified Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, superseding SWM Rules, 2016. They mandate four-stream segregation (wet, dry, sanitary, special-care). Bulk Waste Generators (≥20,000 sqm/40,000 L/day/>100 kg/day) must process on-site or obtain an EBWGR certificate; non-compliance attracts ‘polluter pays’. A central online portal tracks waste; local bodies coordinate Material Recovery Facilities. Industry (e.g., cement) must use RDF; landfills limited to inert/non-recyclable/non-energy-recoverable waste. Hilly/islands: tourist fees/inflow regulation. CPCB (2023-24): ~1.85 lakh TPD waste; ~61% treated, rest landfilled.

Scientists from the Raman Research Institute (RRI) analysed rare, repeating bursts of energy from a distant ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX). ULXs are accreting systems in which a compact object-black hole or neutron star-pulls matter from a companion star. This accretion process releases enormous energy. Some ULXs exceed the Eddington limit (theoretical maximum brightness) by over 100 times.