Current Affairs

Kharg Island is a strategic coral-limestone island (8 km × 4 km) in Iran’s Bushehr Province, northern Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz. Inhabited over 2,000 years, it was a trading post under Achaemenid/Sassanid rule, had a Nestorian monastery, Dutch presence (1753–1766) and brief British occupation (19th century); a 2,400-year Old Persian cuneiform inscription was found (2007). Heavily guarded by IRGC, it handles ~90% of Iran’s crude exports, stores 28–30 million barrels, and sits near a chokepoint carrying ~one-fifth of global petroleum liquids.

Election Commission of India is a constitutional body under Article 324, comprising the CEC and Election Commissioners as decided by the President. Appointments are made by the President on a Selection Committee’s recommendation (PM, a Cabinet Minister, LoP/leader of largest opposition party), aided by a Cabinet Secretary-led Search Committee. Eligible persons must be/have been Secretary (or equivalent). Tenure: 6 years or till 65; no reappointment; pay equals Cabinet Secretary. Under Article 324(5), CEC removal (proved misbehaviour/incapacity) mirrors a Supreme Court judge: motion passed by both Houses with two-thirds of members present and voting. Other ECs are removed by the President on CEC recommendation. The 2023 Act governs service conditions.

DISHA (Department of Justice Integrated Scheme for Holistic Access to Justice) is a Central Sector Scheme (100% Union-funded), launched April 2021 for 2021–26, by the Ministry of Law and Justice/Department of Justice, pan-India. It advances Articles 39A, 14 and 21 via Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu, e-Courts MMP (Phase III, 2023–27), digital courts (SUPACE, LegRAA; virtual traffic courts; paperless district court at Kalpetta, Kerala), Nyaya Sahayaks (2024), and NALSA under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

Navratna NMDC, a CPSE under the Ministry of Steel, became India’s first mining company to produce 50 million tonnes of iron ore in a single financial year. Incorporated in 1958 and headquartered in Hyderabad, NMDC is India’s largest iron ore producer. It also explores minerals such as copper and limestone, and is India’s only organised diamond producer from the Majhgawan mine, Panna (Madhya Pradesh).

The Indian Army launched a major bridge project in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu. The operation, initiated in November 2025, provides urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Sri Lanka in the immediate aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Ditwah. It is guided by India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, reflecting India’s regional outreach during emergencies.

Wildlife Institute of India is conducting a feasibility study on turtle tourism in Kerala for conservation and sustainable management of Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), a small, abundant sea turtle. India’s largest mass nesting occurs on Odisha coast: Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary, Rushikulya and Devi river mouths; nesting November–May (peak Feb–Mar), including arribada. Status: IUCN Vulnerable; CITES Appendix I; WPA 1972 Schedule I. Threats include bycatch; mitigated via Operation Olivia and Turtle Excluder Devices.

As of February 2026, 48 projects were sanctioned under PM-DevINE (Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region), a 100% Union-funded Central Sector scheme launched in 2022 for 2022–23 to 2025–26. Nodal ministry: MDoNER; implemented via NEC, central agencies and NE states. NEC is statutory under NEC Act, 1971. Focus: PM GatiShakti-linked infrastructure, social sector and livelihoods (youth/women) in eight NE states.

APEDA facilitated the first export of Assam’s GI-tagged (2017) Joha rice to the UK and Italy. Indigenous to the Brahmaputra Valley and cultivated for over 600 years (Ahom era), it is a premium short-grain aromatic “scented gold”, with aroma linked to 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline. A Sali (Kharif/winter) crop (120–160 days), it yields ~1–1.5 t/ha, grown mainly in Upper/Central Assam and Meghalaya’s Garo Hills; exports also target Vietnam and Gulf countries.

Prime Minister released the 22nd instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN). Launched in 2019, it is a Central Sector Scheme (100% Union funding) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, implemented by the Department. Eligible landholding farmer family (husband, wife, minor children as per State/UT land records) receives ₹6,000/year via DBT in three ₹2,000 instalments. Expanded to all landholders; excludes institutional landholders, government employees and professionals; States/UTs verify beneficiaries. Registration is through portals/CSCs; Kisan Suvidha App supports tracking.

Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB) is in the fourth year of its captive breeding programme, with around 70 birds in captivity, under the species recovery programme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats. GIB (“Godawan” in Rajasthan) inhabits agro-grasslands; endemic to the Indian subcontinent, mainly Rajasthan, with smaller populations in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Status: IUCN Critically Endangered; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Schedule I; CITES Appendix I. Threats include habitat loss, hunting and power-line collisions.

In 2026, the Supreme Court (Harish Rana case) permitted passive euthanasia for a patient in a persistent vegetative state for 13 years, reaffirming “Right to Die with Dignity” under Article 21. Passive euthanasia (withholding/withdrawing life support) is legal under SC guidelines; active euthanasia (lethal administration) remains criminal. Key precedents: Aruna Shanbaug (2011) and Common Cause (2018; modified 2023) on living wills.

PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a Central Sector scheme launched in 2023 for five years (FY 2023–24 to FY 2027–28) to support traditional artisans/craftspeople in rural and urban unorganised sectors across 18 trades. Nodal ministry: MSME; implemented with MSDE and DFS (Finance). Benefits include certificate/ID, 5–7 days basic and 15+ days advanced training with ₹500/day stipend, ₹15,000 toolkit grant, collateral-free loans ₹1 lakh then ₹2 lakh at 5%, and marketing support. Eligibility: 18+, hand tools; excludes government employees/families; free CSC Aadhaar-biometric registration.

Government told Rajya Sabha that over 3.07 crore women-led enterprises are registered on Udyam Registration Portal/Udyam Assist Platform. Support includes CGS collateral-free credit with 90% guarantee (vs 75%) and 10% fee relaxation; PMEGP credit-linked subsidy (40% women; up to 35% subsidy); PM Vishwakarma training/marketing; Mahila Coir Yojana; SFURTI clusters; 100% trade-fair subsidy; Public Procurement Policy: 3% from women within 25% MSE quota; Yashasvini Campaign 2024.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port (formerly Tuticorin), an artificial deep-sea harbour in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu and one of India’s 13 major ports, launched a Digital Twin initiative for real-time monitoring, predictive analytics and data-driven decisions. A digital twin is a virtual replica using real-time data to mirror performance and enable lifecycle simulation. It uses IoT sensors, GPS, LiDAR, drones and CCTV. Ptolemy (123 AD) noted Tuticorin’s maritime trade; the region is known for pearl fishery.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC/Sepah-e-Pasdaran) was formed in 1979 after Iran’s Islamic Revolution, established by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to protect the theocratic constitutional system, as leaders distrusted the regular army. The 1980–88 Iran–Iraq War strengthened it. Iran has parallel forces: IRGC and Artesh (territorial integrity/internal order). IRGC, under Supreme Leader, includes ground forces (31 provinces), Aerospace Force (missiles/drones), navy (Strait of Hormuz), Basij, and Quds Force; it backs an “Axis of Resistance” (Hezbollah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Houthis, Shia militias in Iraq/Syria).

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an independent institute researching conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament, released “Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025” on major arms transfers. In 2021–25, India was the second largest recipient after Ukraine, with 8.2% of global imports. India’s imports fell 4.0% from 2016–20, partly due to domestic production. Suppliers: Russia 40%, France 29%, Israel 15%, reflecting diversification towards Western suppliers, including the USA.

Scientists discovered two new lichen moth species (order Lepidoptera) in the Eastern Himalayas: Caulocera hollowayi near Golitar, Sikkim (named for lepidopterist Dr Jeremy D. Holloway), and Asura buxa from Panijhora, North Bengal (named after the Buxa Tiger Reserve region). Identified via wing patterns and microscopic traits/chaetotaxy, their lichen-feeding larvae make them bio-indicators of air quality; seven other lichen moths were newly recorded for India.

An Indian Armed Forces contingent arrived in Seychelles for Exercise LAMITIYE-2026, a joint military exercise conducted between India and Seychelles. LAMITIYE is held biennially. The 2026 edition is notable for India’s first tri-services participation, involving coordinated involvement of the three services in the exercise framework.

West Asia (GCC: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE; plus Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen) conflict, involving joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran and retaliation on energy/logistics assets, heightens risks of oil-gas disruption and possible Strait of Hormuz closure. Global Trade Research Initiative estimates $98.7 billion Indian imports at risk. India has ~1-month oil stocks, buys discounted Russian crude. Vulnerable: Qatari LNG (steel, fertiliser), limestone 68.5%/gypsum 62.1% (cement), sulphur 65.8%, DRI/gas 59.1%, copper wire 50.7%, rough diamonds >40% (Surat).

Government updated Lok Sabha on PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan), launched 15 November 2023 (Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas) under Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It combines Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored schemes to achieve 100% welfare saturation for PVTGs within three years. PVTG category began with Debar Commission (1961); 75 PVTGs among 705 STs across 18 states and Andaman & Nicobar Islands; population ~27.6 lakh (Census 2011). Implemented by nine ministries with NIESBUD, IIE and TRIFED, covering housing, roads, piped water, mobile health units, hostels, anganwadis, Van Dhan, electrification and mobile towers.

IMC 2026 concluded in New Delhi; organiser ICMR–NIMR (ICMR); theme “Discovery, Development and Delivery”. Malaria: female Anopheles-borne; Plasmodium (P. falciparum, vivax, ovale, malariae, knowlesi). India: eliminate by 2030 (National Framework 2016–2030), stop indigenous transmission by 2027; cases −~80% (2015–2023); exited WHO HBHI group (2024). 2023: 34 states/UT API<1 (Tripura, Mizoram higher); 160 districts/23 states-UT zero indigenous cases (2022–24). API=cases/1,000/year; NSP 2023–27: surveillance, test, treat, track.

Researchers recorded the rare shrimp-like marine amphipod Stenothoe lowryi in Indian waters for the first time, from intertidal rocky pools at Arjyapalli, Ganjam district, Odisha; at least eight specimens were collected. About 5.5 mm long, it has long antennae and large claws, and is morphologically similar to S. gallensis. Earlier known from Pangkor Island, Straits of Malacca, Malaysia; adds to South Asia’s stenothoid records. Related finds: Grandidierella geetanjalae (Chilika lagoon, 2026) and Parhyale odian (Chilika Lake, Barkul, 2022).

Visits of the President, Vice-President and Prime Minister to states are governed by the “Blue Book”, issued and periodically updated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Numbered copies are circulated; at district level, custody lies with the District Magistrate and district police head. Governor and Chief Minister receive dignitaries; CM may nominate a minister. Deviations invite inquiries. A pre-approved “line-up” is cleared by the President’s Secretariat. Article 356(1) empowers the President to assume state functions, shift legislative powers to Parliament and dismiss the state council of ministers.

The Environment Ministry’s expert panel declined the Coal Ministry’s request to remove the 300-metre minimum operational depth condition for underground coal gasification (UCG) research and development pilot projects. Coal gasification converts solid coal into synthetic gas (syngas) using controlled oxygen/steam, heat and pressure; syngas mainly contains carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. UCG occurs within coal seams, aiding energy security with lower sulphur emissions. The National Coal Gasification Mission targets 100 million tonnes by 2030.