Current Affairs

Scientists at SKUAST-Kashmir developed early-maturing wheat varieties Shalimar Wheat-4 (matures last week of May) and Shalimar Wheat-3 (matures first week of June) to stabilise Kashmir’s rice–wheat rotation, where rice fields must be vacated by May–June. SW-3 yields up to 38 q/ha, is biofortified (iron+zinc >40 ppm; protein 12%), and both are yellow-rust resistant, suitable up to ~1,850 m. Developed via conventional cross-breeding with pedigree selection, multi-location testing and farmer trials over 9–10 years.

India and Brazil signed an MoU on rare earths and critical minerals during President Lula da Silva’s state visit to India to strengthen supply chains and strategic cooperation across exploration, mining, processing, refining and recycling. Critical minerals are essential inputs vulnerable to supply disruption/price spikes. India seeks reduced import dependence (notably China) for EVs, electronics, defence and green tech; Brazil seeks investment and value addition. Both target bilateral trade of USD 30 billion by 2030. Rare earths comprise 17 minerals. India’s National Critical Mineral Mission (2024–2031) includes a National Critical Mineral Stockpile.

Union Health Minister launched an indigenously manufactured Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine in Kasauli. Developed by Central Research Institute, Himachal Pradesh, it protects against tetanus and diphtheria and contains tetanus antigen with a lower diphtheria antigen concentration. Introduced under Universal Immunisation Programme (11 vaccines against 12 diseases), it replaces Tetanus Toxoid for all age groups including pregnant women; WHO advised this in 2006, NTAGI endorsed it; 133 countries have adopted it.

Brazil’s National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and CSIR signed a cooperation arrangement granting Brazil access to India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) for patent examination and grant procedures. TKDL, established in 2001 by the Government of India via CSIR–Ministry of AYUSH collaboration, is a prior-art database to prevent erroneous patents and misappropriation, covering Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga, in five languages, via NDAs; access now extends to 18 patent offices.

Severe illness after seafood at a Vizhinjam restaurant is suspected due to tetrodotoxin (TTX) contamination. TTX is a highly potent, naturally occurring, non-protein, heat-stable marine neurotoxin produced by symbiotic bacteria; found in pufferfish and some marine organisms. Cooking/freezing do not destroy it. It blocks voltage-gated sodium channels causing numbness, vomiting, weakness, paralysis and respiratory failure. No antidote; supportive/respiratory care. WHO flags it as a serious seafood-poisoning risk.

Scientists at ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune identified Contarinia icardiflores as a new blossom midge pest of jasmine (Jasminum sambac) in India. About 1.5–2 mm, its larvae feed inside flower buds causing swelling, discolouration and rotting before blossoming; life cycle 16–21 days. It is genetically distinct from Contarinia maculipennis (mitochondrial COI sequencing). Emerging threat in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

At the International Energy Agency’s annual ministerial meeting in Paris, progress was noted on India’s request for full membership; India is currently an Association Country. The IEA, created in 1974 after the 1973 oil crisis, is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organisation. It has 32 members (all OECD). It ensures energy security, promotes development and sustainability, publishes World Energy Outlook and Oil Market Report, and coordinates emergency responses and clean energy transition.

India and France signed a Protocol to amend the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) signed in 1992. DTAA/DTAC prevents double taxation on income of individuals or businesses. Amendments remove the Most Favoured Nation clause, reducing ambiguity in treaty benefits; MFN is a WTO principle of equal favourable terms for members. The Protocol also incorporates BEPS Multilateral Instrument provisions (in force 2018; effective 2019) to curb OECD-G20 BEPS base erosion and profit shifting.

Gujarat proposed 2026 amendments to marriage registration rules under the Gujarat Marriage Registration Act 2006 and Special Marriage Act 1954. Couples must declare if parents were informed and upload parents’ Aadhaar, address and contact; Assistant Registrar must notify parents within 10 working days, with registration only after 30 days via an online portal. Stated aim: curb fraudulent marriages/deceptive certificates; concerns raised under Article 21. Precedents: Laxmibai Chandaragi (2021), Shafin Jahan (2018), Lata Singh (2006); Delhi HC (2009) and Allahabad HC (2021).

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy first tested the Sayyad-3G advanced naval surface-to-air missile, boosting maritime air defence in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. Developed by Iran, it has ~150 km range and Mach 4.5–5.1 speed, with vertical launch (360° coverage). It uses inertial mid-course guidance and radar terminal homing, works networked or via ship radar, launches from Shahid Sayyad Shirazi (Shahid Soleimani-class), and targets aircraft, UAVs and cruise missiles; the “G” variant suits humid, corrosive seas (vs 2016 land-based Sayyad 3).

The Union Cabinet cleared the Kerala Nativity Card Bill to legally back issuance of a permanent nativity card as authoritative identity proof for Keralites, with photograph, modelled on the nativity certificate. Eligible: persons born in Kerala; those with Kerala-born ancestors; and those born outside Kerala due to parents’ livelihood migration, if foreign citizenship not accepted. Card void on accepting foreign citizenship. Collector can review RDO orders. Penalty: up to 3 months jail or ₹5,000 fine. Requires Assembly passage and Governor’s assent.

Ferruginous Pochard/White-eyed Pochard (Aythya nyroca) is a diving duck and wetland specialist of shallow, heavily vegetated wetlands, historically widespread across Eurasia and North Africa. Adults show a dark chestnut head/breast, white undertail patch and broad white wing stripe; breeding males have white iris. Omnivorous; dives/upends for plants, seeds, molluscs, small fish. Nests concealed near water or floating in reed beds. IUCN: Near Threatened; threats include habitat loss, human disturbance and hybridisation.

Indian film Boong, a Manipuri-language movie directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, won the BAFTA award for Best Children’s & Family Film in London. The award is hosted annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), established in 1947 in the United Kingdom. BAFTA honours excellence in film, television, games and children’s media. Boong depicts a boy’s quest to reunite his broken family amid conflict in Manipur.

Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) is a rail-based semi high-speed commuter transit system improving connectivity within the National Capital Region with seamless travel to Delhi. It runs up to 180 kmph, serving longer-distance travel with fewer stops than metro, and high-frequency point-to-point services on dedicated pathways unlike conventional rail. Implemented by NCRTC (Centre, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi), the Delhi–Meerut corridor cuts travel from 3 hours to ~60 minutes. Electric traction reduces private car dependence; women form the majority of train operators and station control staff.

The Election Commission announced biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states. Rajya Sabha is a permanent House not subject to dissolution; one-third of members retire every second year, and each member’s tenure is six years. Elections are indirect, using proportional representation by single transferable vote, under Article 80(4). Members are elected by elected State MLAs; for NCT of Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir, by elected UT Assembly members.

Union Cabinet approved ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, to support market-driven urban infrastructure; total targeted investment ₹4 lakh crore. Centre funds 25%; cities raise minimum 50% via municipal bonds/bank loans/PPP; balance 25% by ULBs/states. Period 2025–26 to 2030–31, extendable to 2033–34. Pillars: growth hubs, creative redevelopment, water and sanitation. Projects via challenge-based selection; excludes AMRUT 2.0/SBM 2.0. Credit guarantee for NE/hilly and <1 lakh population cities under ₹5,000 crore scheme; Central guarantee up to ₹7 crore or 70% of loan.

South African cheetah Gamini delivered three cubs in Kuno National Park, raising India’s cheetah count to 38 under Project Cheetah. Kuno lies in Sheopur district, Madhya Pradesh (Vindhyan Hills); notified a wildlife sanctuary in 1981 and upgraded to national park in December 2018; Kuno River (Chambal tributary) flows through it. Project Cheetah (17 September 2022) is run by NTCA, MoEFCC, with Cheetah Conservation Fund support. Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is Critically Endangered and extinct in India since 1952; African cheetah is Vulnerable.

Under Vision 2035 India–UK Roadmap and the Fourth India–UK Energy Dialogue, a taskforce was constituted to provide strategic leadership and coordination for India’s offshore wind ecosystem. Offshore wind uses turbines in oceans/large lakes; nodal ministry: MNRE. Advantages: higher output, stronger winds, no land acquisition; challenges: high capex, corrosion, marine noise. NIWE estimates potential: Gujarat 36 GW, Tamil Nadu 35 GW. FOWIND (2013–18) led by GWEC–EU; FOWPI (2015) led by COWI with EU support.

VoicERA was launched on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 under the Digital India framework. It is an open-source end-to-end Voice AI stack developed by the Digital India BHASHINI Division, Digital India Corporation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It serves as the national execution layer for multilingual Voice and Language AI, expanding BHASHINI from translation to real-time speech, conversational AI and multilingual telephony at population scale, bridging literacy, language and digital divides.

The Centre plans temple tourism development in Andhra Pradesh under the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) Scheme, a Ministry of Tourism flagship programme to develop pilgrimage and heritage sites as world-class destinations. It targets holistic visitor experience via roads, public transport and last-mile connectivity, facilitation centres, hygienic amenities and illumination; promotes local jobs; mandates eco-friendly works and waste management; offers 100% central funding; encourages CSR/PPP; implemented by States/UTs through designated agencies.

French President’s India visit yielded 21 outcomes in defence, technology, critical minerals and trade, reaffirming the India–France Strategic Partnership (1998; India’s first with a Western nation) guided by Horizon 2047 (adopted 2023). Key deliverables: Airbus H125 final assembly line at Vemagal, Karnataka; BEL–Safran JV for HAMMER missiles (Rafale, LCA Tejas); Year of Innovation 2026, Innovation Network; AI in Health centre at AIIMS New Delhi; critical minerals declaration; nuclear cooperation incl. Jaitapur, SMRs/AMRs; DTAA amendment; trade €12.67 bn (2024–25); exercises SHAKTI, GARUDA, VARUNA.

The 80th anniversary marks the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, an anti-colonial revolt by naval ratings against British rule. It began on 18 February 1946 at HMIS Talwar, Bombay, and spread to Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Kolkata and Karachi. Causes included poor treatment, racial discrimination, inadequate food and medical facilities; triggers were B C Dutt’s arrest and Arthur Frederick King’s appointment. A Central Strike Committee (Salil Shyam, B C Dutt, Madan Singh, Rishi Dev Puri, M S Khan) led demands for equality, releases, troop withdrawal from Indonesia and action against King; symbolic renaming occurred. Strikes/protests gained RIAF and civilian support but were suppressed; called off after senior leaders’ intervention, including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Radiocarbon dating at Bhirrana archaeological site, Haryana, along paleo-channels of the Ghaggar river, suggests the Harappan Civilisation may be over 8,000 years old. Excavated by Shri L S Rao, the sequence includes Period IA Hakra Wares (plastered subterranean pits), IB Early Harappan (mud-brick houses; pottery like Kalibanga I), IIA Early Mature (layout change; fortification wall), IIB Mature (steatite seals). Antiquities include semi-precious beads, terracotta, copper bangles and bone objects.

Iran temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for several hours to conduct live-fire drills amid talks with the US in Geneva. The strait, located between Oman and Iran, is a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It narrows to 33 km at its slimmest point. About 20–25% of global oil transits through it.

India plans to stop surplus Ravi river water flowing to Pakistan as the Shahpur Kandi Dam near the J&K–Punjab border nears completion. Located on the Ravi in Punjab’s Pathankot district downstream of Ranjit Sagar Dam, it uses released water for 206 MW power (7.7 km hydel channel) and irrigation (5,000 ha Punjab; 32,000 ha in J&K’s Samba, Kathua). Declared a national project (2008); cost Rs 3,394.49 crore (Punjab 80%, Centre 20%); built by Punjab irrigation department.