Current Affairs

MoEFCC notified Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, effective 1 April 2026, replacing 2016 rules. Mandates at-source processing and four-way segregation (wet, dry, sanitary, special-care). Bulk waste generators (≥20,000 sq m or 40,000 L/day water or 100 kg/day waste) must segregate and hand over recyclables. Provides polluter-pays environmental compensation, legacy landfill mapping by 31 Oct 2026, and energy recovery for waste ≥1,500 kcal/kg.

Exercise KHANJAR-XIII, the 13th annual India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise, began at Misamari in Sonitpur district, Assam. The 14-day drill is held alternately in India and the Kyrgyz Republic; it was first initiated in December 2011 at Nahan, India. It aims to enhance special forces interoperability, focusing on urban warfare and counter-terrorism under a UN mandate, including CQB, room intervention, hostage rescue, and joint tactical manoeuvres.

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) scientists discovered a new flowering plant, Dicliptera pakhalica (genus Dicliptera, family Acanthaceae), in Telangana, known only from its type locality in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary. Named after Pakhal Lake (historic Kakatiya-period man-made reservoir), it grows on stream banks and rocky waterfall areas. Traits include downward stem hairs, non-sticky flowers/fruits and spiny seeds. Flowering: Nov–Jan; fruiting: Dec–Mar. It resembles D. parvibracteata (Eastern Ghats, AP–Odisha) and is IUCN Data Deficient.

Union Budget 2026 proposed DESH (Development of Excavated Sites into Heritage Destinations), a Ministry of Culture scheme to convert excavated archaeological landscapes into experiential cultural tourism, open sites for public engagement, generate local employment, strengthen regional economies, and disperse tourism to emerging locations. Coverage spans 3rd century BC–19th century: Lothal, Dholavira (Gujarat), Rakhigarhi, Agroha (Haryana), Hastinapur, Sarnath, Jhansi Fort (Uttar Pradesh), Eran (Madhya Pradesh), Sannati (Karnataka), Udayagiri (Odisha), Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu), Chittorgarh Fort (Rajasthan), Purana Qila (New Delhi), Leh Palace (Ladakh), Sibasagar Ahom site (Assam).

Government cited State-wise aid under Landslide Risk Mitigation Scheme (LRMS) and approved ₹1,000 crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project. LRMS is a centrally assisted disaster risk reduction scheme (2019), nodal ministry: MHA; implemented by NDMA with SDMAs/DDMAs. It covers mitigation, real-time monitoring, awareness, capacity building; initial phase: Sikkim, Mizoram, Nagaland, Uttarakhand; eligible States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal; uses MEMS sensors, solar power, AI; aligned with NDMA 2009 guidelines and National Disaster Management Plan.

Government plans to establish new multipurpose PACS/dairy/fisheries cooperatives to cover all panchayats and villages in 5 years. PACS are grass-root short-term cooperative credit institutions, linking borrowers to banks/RBI-NABARD. Status: 79,630 sanctioned; 32,802 new registered; 61,478 digitised under ERP-based national software. Multi-State PACS: Union List Entry 44, CRCS under MSCS Act, 2002; single-state: State List Entry 32, RCS. Initiatives include decentralized grain storage (godowns/custom hiring), 21,000+ new dairy societies (50% procurement rise), 1,000 fisheries societies to FFPOs, model bye-laws as multipurpose service centres, and MSCS (Amendment) Act, 2023 mandating women/SC-ST board representation; NCP 2025 expands women/weaker sections’ roles.

Over the past decade, India’s electronics production rose from ₹1.9 lakh crore (2014–15) to ₹11.3 lakh crore (2024–25), while electronics exports increased from ₹38,000 crore to ₹3.27 lakh crore; about 25 lakh jobs were created. The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) targets a $500 billion domestic electronics manufacturing ecosystem by 2030–31 and complements the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to strengthen semiconductors and electronics.

The government issued show-cause notices to edible oil firms for non-compliance with the Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Amendment Order (VOPPA), 2025, which amends the VOPAA Order, 2011. Notified under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and incorporating the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, it mandates registration on NSWS and the VOPPA portal and monthly returns on production, stocks, imports, sales and availability for crude, refined and blended oils, vanaspati and margarine.

DRDO successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur (Odisha), validating it for intended missile applications. SFDR combines a solid-fuel rocket with an air-breathing ramjet, using the missile’s forward speed to compress air and atmospheric oxygen for combustion, reducing onboard oxidiser. Benefits include longer engagement range and sustained high-speed cruise; key elements are booster, SFDR motor and controlled fuel-flow. It is mainly for advanced long-range air-to-air missiles, placing India among a limited group with SFDR capability.

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) study, using fossil evidence, explains decline and present confinement of megaherbivores, especially Indian one-horned rhinoceros, to Kaziranga National Park, noting it was once widespread across the Indian subcontinent but reduced since the Holocene. Kaziranga lies in Assam’s Brahmaputra floodplains between Brahmaputra River and Karbi Hills; reserve forest (1905), UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985), Tiger Reserve, Important Bird Area; hosts two-thirds of global one-horned rhinos.

ARCI, Hyderabad, with IIT Hyderabad, under DST (GoI), developed a lead-free, eco-friendly photodetector using double perovskite Cs₂AgBiBr₆ and low-cost carbon electrodes. It is HTM-free, fabricated at room temperature via one-step coating, needing no protective layers, vacuum or glovebox. It responds to visible light, is self-powered (no external voltage) and retains >90% performance after 60 days; applications include cameras, wearables, industrial monitoring, security and biomedical imaging, supporting green manufacturing and self-reliance.

MPLADS is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 1993, with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation as nodal ministry. Each MP can recommend works worth Rs 5 crore annually to create durable community assets. Works outside constituency are allowed up to Rs 50 lakh per financial year (Rs 1 crore in severe calamity). eSAKSHI portal (April 1, 2023) enables end-to-end transparency; 15% SC and 7.5% ST mandate applies.

Jiyo Parsi, a unique Central Sector Scheme (launched 2013) of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, implemented through State Governments with Parsi institutions, aims to arrest Parsi population decline via scientific protocols and structured interventions. It has facilitated births of over 490 Parsi children. Beneficiaries include Parsi couples, their children and dependent elderly. Income limits: Rs 30 lakh (childbearing treatment) and Rs 15 lakh (child/elderly care). Support is via DBT; Satyapan App enables biometric authentication; Medical Portal (2024) and HoC Portal (2025) enable application tracking.

New research links cancer cachexia to disrupted brain–liver signalling via the vagus nerve, reframing it as a neuro-metabolic disorder. Cachexia is a chronic metabolic syndrome in cancer, affecting about 80% of advanced cases, marked by increased energy expenditure, anorexia, weight and muscle loss, weakness and poorer chemo/radiotherapy response. Tumour-driven inflammation alters neural signals, suppressing hepatic HNF4α, causing liver reprogramming, systemic inflammation and wasting. Diagnosis uses weight, muscle and metabolic monitoring; management stresses early, integrated care. Preclinical studies suggest neuromodulation and liver-targeted therapies may reduce weight and muscle loss.

Faunal survey in Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala (youngest; notified 2020 under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972) in Malappuram, on Karimpuzha River (Chaliyar tributary), added new bird, butterfly and odonate (dragonflies/damselflies) records and noted altitudinal migration of Common albatross, Lesser albatross and Plain puffin. It forms a Kerala–Tamil Nadu landscape, borders Mukurthi NP and Silent Valley buffer, includes Amarambalam reserve forest and Vadakkekotta vested forest, exempting Manjeri Cholanaikar colony.

India’s Chief of Defence Staff arrived in Armenia for a four-day official visit to advance official-level defence engagement. Armenia’s capital is Yerevan. It is a landlocked Transcaucasia country south of the Caucasus Mountains, bordering Georgia (north), Azerbaijan (east), Iran (southeast) and Turkey (west). Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan, was a conflict source since 1988, recently resolved. Highest peak: Mount Aragats; major river: Aras.

India–US trade agreement: US cuts reciprocal tariff on Made-in-India goods from 25% to 18% with immediate effect and withdraws an additional 25% duty (earlier up to 50%, including duty linked to Russian oil imports). India will scale up imports of US goods (over $500 billion: energy, technology, nuclear equipment) and progressively reduce tariffs/non-tariff barriers. Bilateral trade: $132.2 billion (FY25) vs $119.71 billion (FY24). US cumulative FDI inflows (2000–2025): $70.65 billion; India exports pharma/engineering/electronics/gems; US exports crude/LNG/aircraft/defence.

Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego, a persistently active basaltic stratovolcano, recently produced an explosive eruption. Part of the Central American Volcanic Arc (Guatemala to Panama) and the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, it is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking former capital Antigua, between Acatenango and Agua, rising to 3,763 m. It has erupted over 60 times since 1524; hazards include ashfall, pyroclastic and lava flows, and lahars. In 2018, a deadly eruption killed 194 and left 234 missing.

Union Budget rationalises Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) and safe harbour rules for a more investor-friendly tax regime. IT services are consolidated into one “Information Technology Services” category with a uniform safe harbour margin. Safe harbour eligibility threshold is raised from ₹300 crore to ₹2,000 crore, with automated, rule-based approvals. APA completion is mandated within 2 years (extendable by 6 months), providing transfer-pricing certainty and reducing disputes.

Economic Survey 2025-26 cites the Power Gap Index, a secondary analysis derived from the Asia Power Index, produced annually by the Australia-based Lowy Institute. The Asia Power Index measures resources and influence to rank relative power of states in Asia, covering 27 countries and territories, using 131 indicators across 8 thematic measures (military, economic, diplomatic/cultural influence, resilience and future resources). India’s 2025 power gap score is -4.0, indicating operation below full strategic potential.

The 3rd tri-services Future Warfare Course is being held in New Delhi from February 2–25, 2026, under HQ Integrated Defence Staff, with Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) as partner. A three-week programme, it includes Army, Navy and Air Force officers (Majors to Major Generals/equivalents) and defence industry participants. Themes cover future warfighting, geopolitics, indigenous capabilities, cyber, space, AI systems, supply-chain vulnerabilities and rare-earth dependencies; training includes demonstrations, expert lectures and visits. First edition was in September 2024; it aligns with Anil Chauhan’s vision for multi-domain conflicts.

Central Government notified Baggage Rules, 2026 (under Customs Act, 1962) amending Baggage Rules, 2016, along with Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026. It enables simplified/electronic and advance filing, faster clearance, and uniform implementation via a Master Circular. GFA enhanced for eligible categories; no general duty-free allowance for land-border arrivals. Transfer of residence caps: ₹1.5 lakh (≤12 months), ₹3 lakh (1–2 years), ₹7.5 lakh (>2 years). Duty-free jewellery: female 40 g; others 20 g. Provides temporary import/re-export certificates, one duty-free laptop for >18 years, and duty-free import of pets.

Bihar government approved pilot installation of Grain ATMs (Annapurti) in Patna under the Public Distribution System to improve transparency, efficiency and time-bound distribution. A central initiative developed by the World Food Programme with Food Corporation of India and states, it is maintained jointly by Centre and states; Bihar nodal department is Food and Consumer Protection. Aadhaar-linked card-based, internet-enabled machines dispense up to 50 kg in minutes, operate 24/7, can use solar power, cut waiting time ~70%, currently urban with planned panchayat expansion; piloted in at least six states including Odisha.

India will publicly exhibit the Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka under the Ministry of Culture to strengthen India–Sri Lanka cultural ties and shared Buddhist heritage. Originating from an archaeological site in Gujarat’s Aravalli district excavated in 1957, the relics include a Brahmi-Sanskrit inscribed green schist casket, copper box with ashes, and a gold-coated sacred bottle. Enshrined at Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, they will be displayed at Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo, in February 2026, travel with state honours on a special IAF aircraft, and were earlier exhibited in Thailand, Mongolia, Vietnam, Russia and Bhutan.