Current Affairs

Prime Minister of India greeted people on Nuakhai, a key social and agricultural harvest festival of Western Odisha. “Nuakhai” combines “nua” (new) and “khai” (food), marking the welcome of new rice. It is observed on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). Rituals include nine sets (“nine colours”), offering newly harvested Nabanha to presiding deities, followed by delicacies and Nuakhai Juhar.

Kerala State Human Rights Commission directed urgent rehabilitation of Paniya tribal families living in tarpaulin shelters at Vaniyampuzha across Chaliyar River in Pothukal panchayat, Kerala. Paniya (Paniyan) are a Scheduled Tribe, Kerala’s largest single ST population, found in Wayanad and parts of Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram; also Gudalur-Pandalur (Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu) and south Kodagu (Karnataka). Mostly labourers, historically bonded; now grow rice and ragi. Paniya language is Dravidian, close to Malayalam; bamboo-thatch huts; worship Kali and banyan trees.

India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol to the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to enable acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin. MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) is a South American bloc created by the 1991 Treaty of Asunción, became a customs union in January 1995, headquartered at Montevideo. India-MERCOSUR PTA was signed on 25 January 2004, in force from 1 June 2009, covering 450 and 452 tariff lines.

India installed Steady State Superconducting Tokamak-1 (SST-1) at the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar, Gujarat (autonomous under Department of Atomic Energy). ‘Artificial Sun’ refers to tokamak fusion reactors replicating solar fusion: deuterium-tritium nuclei fuse into helium, requiring plasma; Indian experiments exceeded 200 million°C. Upgraded gyrotron-based ECRH replaces older 42 GHz systems. ADITYA / ADITYA-U is India’s first air-core copper-coil tokamak; SST-1 is the first superconducting tokamak for long-duration steady-state operation using magnetic confinement in a torus.

India’s 2026 southwest monsoon is erratic and deficient amid strengthening El Niño: cumulative all-India rainfall is 14.7% below LPA (Sep 13); 24 of 36 subdivisions have >10% deficit, worst in southern states, Marathwada and Vidarbha. June had 0 LPS (-38%); July 4 LPS/24 days (+1%); August 6/26 days (-16.3%). Kharif acreage is 1,096.5 lakh ha (Sep 11), 1.4% below 2025; urea sales fell 6.6% and DAP/MOP/complex fertilisers declined. USDA projects rice 147 mt (154) and maize 50 mt (55.1). El Niño SST is ~+1.8°C; NOAA sees >90% chance of very strong El Niño (Sep-Jan). Rabi risk crops include wheat, rapeseed-mustard, chana/masoor/matar, potato/onion/garlic, and jeera/saunf/dhaniya. FAO Food Price Index is 133.3 (Aug; highest since Nov 2022; below 160.2 in Mar 2022; 2014-16=100), with vegetable oil highest since Jun 2022 and cereals at a 27-month high.

CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) is leveraging SARAL AI to strengthen science communication. SARAL AI, an initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), New Delhi, converts complex research publications, patents and ANRF journal outputs into multimedia formats (podcasts, short videos, posters, business briefs). Researchers upload papers via arXiv links/LaTeX; content and figures are auto-extracted; scripts are generated using Gemini/GPT; narration supports Hindi and 18 Indian languages; videos can be shared on social media.

India launched the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) Connections to expand clean, affordable piped cooking fuel by converting unbilled domestic PNG connections into active billed ones. Nodal ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. CGD networks are built by entities authorised by PNGRB. Implemented in two tranches over six months, with geographical-area thresholds; each incremental billed connection earns 200 SCM additional gas allocation.

A study of 184 women undergoing mastectomy found low vitamin D levels correlated with more painful recovery after breast cancer surgery. Vitamin D (fat-soluble calciferol) comes from UV sunlight skin synthesis, fortified foods (milk, cereal, yogurt), and egg yolk, saltwater fish, liver; it is stored in fat. It aids calcium absorption, bone/teeth health, inflammation and immune modulation. Deficiency causes rickets / osteomalacia, higher in darker skin / extensive clothing; excess causes kidney stones, failure, arrhythmia, death.

In Assam, captive breeding under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) increased the pygmy hog (Porcula salvania)-world’s smallest, rarest wild pig and an indicator of tall, dense grasslands-from 6 founders captured in Manas National Park (1996) to 194. PHCP, formed in 1995, partners Assam Forest Department, Durrell, MoEFCC, IUCN/SSC Wild Pig Specialist Group, Aaranyak and EcoSystems-India; populations occur in Sonai-Rupai, Bornadi, Orang and Manas.

NIMHANS has been designated the Coordinating Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the BRICS Network of Centres of Excellence in Mental Health, giving it a coordinating role in the BRICS framework. NIMHANS is a CoE in mental health and neurosciences with a tripartite mission of patient care, research and training. It is a Deemed University (1994) and an Institute of National Importance (2012), contributes to the National Mental Health Policy and rights-based care, and is the nodal centre for Tele MANAS (Tele mental health Assistance and Nationally Actionable Plan through States).

Dryland Congress 2026 concluded in New Delhi, adopting the Delhi Declaration on Drylands; it was jointly organised by ICRISAT and ICAR. Dryland agriculture means crop cultivation entirely under rainfed conditions, supported by mulching, deep tillage, contour farming and rainwater harvesting; drought-resistant crops include millet and sorghum. By rainfall: dry farming <750 mm/year, dryland farming >750 mm, rainfed farming >1,150 mm. Key issues are low, variable yields due to uneven rains, late onset/early cessation and poor moisture retention.

Union Home Minister paid tribute on 13 September to freedom fighter Jatindranath Das (1904-1929), born in 1904 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal. A member of Anushilan Samiti, he joined the Hindustan Republican Association in 1924 after contact with Sachindranath Sanyal, and participated in Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation movement. Imprisoned in the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1929), he died aged 25 after a 63-day fast in Lahore Jail for political prisoners’ rights.

Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its 1,200-km East-West oil pipeline (Petroline) after reported attacks from Iraq, halting exports. The pipeline runs from Abqaiq oilfield to Yanbu port, providing a Hormuz-bypass route; Yanbu shipments to Asia pass Bab el-Mandeb. Disruption affects 4%-5% of global supply. India imports >88% crude; Saudi share 7%-8%. Every $1/barrel adds up to $2 billion to India’s annual import bill; 10% oil rise widens CAD by 0.4% of GDP.

Hundreds of street vendors were evicted from roads around Meenakshi Sundareswarar (Arulmigu) Temple, Madurai (southern bank of Vaigai, Tamil Nadu), to regulate traffic/pedestrian movement ahead of Maha Kumbabishekam. Dedicated to Meenakshi (Parvati), Sundareswarar (Shiva) and Alagar (Vishnu), it reflects Shaivism-Shaktism-Vaishnavism. Built under Kulasekarer Pandya; mentioned by 7th-century Thirugnanasambandar; expanded by Thirumalai Nayak (1623–55). Dravidian 45-acre (254×237 m) complex; 14 gopurams: south >170 ft (1559), east oldest (Maravarman Sundara Pandyan, 1216–38), west model for Tamil Nadu emblem; four entrances (east main). Mandapams include Aayirankaal (985 pillars), built by Ariyanatha Mudaliar (1569), now a museum (artifacts from 8th century onwards); musical pillars; ~33,000 sculptures.

Under the proposed India-EU FTA, India secured country-specific steel tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) of 1,641,470 tonnes annually (MFN 946,616; FTA 694,853), against exports of ~4 million tonnes to the EU. The EU’s new Steel Regulation (from 1 July 2026) provides duty-free quotas of 18.3 million tonnes, imposes 50% duty beyond quotas, and requires “melt-and-pour”; MFN quotas use 2022-24 import shares, with WTO safeguards capped at 8 years. Provisions include non-disadvantage, additional/residual quotas, transparent TRQ administration, and reviews (1 year after entry, then every 5 years).

Ladakh administration launched a project to revive shrinking Tso Kar Lake by diverting about 320 million litres/day of untapped glacier water from the Rupsho Kharnak glacial stream to restore its wetland system. Tso Kar (“White Lake”) is a high-altitude salt lake in Rupshu Valley, Ladakh, at ~15,280 ft (4,660 m), smallest among Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri, and a Ramsar site (2020).

ICAR’s Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur developed new-generation moth bean varieties tolerant to highly variable weather, including prolonged drought and excessive rainfall. Moth bean (Vigna aconitifolia; dew bean/matki) is a hardy Fabaceae pulse; creeping annual with fast taproot aiding arid survival. Performs at 24-32°C (tolerates 45°C), needs 500-750 mm rain (survives 200-300 mm), sandy loam; pH 3.5-10, slight salinity. Major states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana; uses: protein dal, fodder, green manure.

18th BRICS Summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration; India as host/chair reconciled divergent positions. On West Asia it urged restraint, diplomacy, sovereignty/territorial integrity, civilian protection, trade/supply-chain/energy continuity; flagged attacks on IAEA-safeguarded peaceful nuclear facilities; on Gaza/Palestine backed ceasefire, humanitarian access, UNRWA, opposed displacement/starvation, two-state (1967 borders, East Jerusalem), self-determination/right of return/full UN membership; called Lebanon ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, Syria transition. Condemned terrorism incl. April 2025 Pahalgam attack (26 killed), CTWG role, financing/safe havens/radicalisation, no identity linkage. Opposed unilateral coercive measures/CBAMs; no common currency; prioritised interoperable payments, local-currency use (Payment Task Force, NDB financing), New Investment Platform, India’s BRICS Risk Lab at GIFT City. On AI sought inclusive, safe, energy-efficient, trustworthy governance; welcomed India-hosted AI Impact Summit (Feb 2026); proposed DPI repository/pilots; BRICS Training Hub Network/mental well-being CoEs with NIMHANS Bengaluru coordinating; India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies; growth/development task force, NDB Knowledge Portal, infrastructure-PPP, insurance ecosystem.

Public sector bank employees struck nationwide on September 11 over a proposed Performance-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme; after a September 8 meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Ministry of Finance kept the scheme on hold pending talks. The Department of Financial Services had authorised a revised PLI (November 2024) for 2025-26, limited to Scale IV+ officers, with incentives up to 365 days’ basic pay (vs existing 15 days’ basic pay + DA). The 2020 unions-Indian Banks’ Association agreement linked PLI to bank performance uniformly. Unions also seek a five-day week, pension/NPS-OPS options, revised ex-gratia, and retiree medical facilities; services like cash, cheque clearance and branch work were affected, with further strike threats from September 28-30 and October 26.

PM’s BRICS leaders’ welcome backdrop featured Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu. A Shiva temple, Puranic tradition links Rama’s post-Ravana victory worship of a Shivalinga; “Rameswaram/Ramanathaswamy” relate to this consecration. Built first in 12th century by Cholas, expanded by Pandyas, Vijayanagar (Krishna Deva Raya gifts, 1513), later Nayakas-era Sethupatis, and completed by Sethupatis. It is one of 12 Jyotirlingas (only one in south) and a Char Dham shrine (only Shiva among four). Dravidian style with gopurams, four-side madil, India’s longest temple corridor (197 m E-W, 133 m S-N), granite carvings, and 22 holy wells.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels reportedly captured Yemen’s Mayun (Perim) Island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, southern entrance to the Red Sea, near the 26 km-wide narrowest point. The 13 sq km volcanic, rocky island (65 m) splits the strait into two channels, giving control of the eastern channel. It has a natural harbour and military airfield. Britain held it 1857-1967; coaling station failed in 1935; joined independent Yemen (Aden) in 1967.

SAWEN member countries adopted the “Kathmandu Declaration” to strengthen regional cooperation against illegal wildlife trade and related transnational organised crime. SAWEN is an intergovernmental law-enforcement support body of eight South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; launched in 2011 at Paro (Bhutan), with a Secretariat in Kathmandu (2011). It promotes cooperation, capacity building, law/policy harmonisation, trend documentation, partnerships, and National Action Plans. Governance: General Assembly (ministers), Executive Committee (focal persons), Secretariat led by Secretary General.

Scientists recorded the rare high-altitude Himalayan fish Schizopygopsis waddellii for the first time in India from Pangkang Teng Tso Lake, a natural lake in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, at about 12,800 feet. Earlier known only from the Tibetan/China Plateau (including Yamdrok Lake, Tibet), it belongs to family Cyprinidae and is adapted to harsh high-altitude freshwater ecosystems, expanding its distribution and India’s freshwater fish fauna.

Genomic studies in India show Aedes aegypti has high gene flow and genetic similarity across eco-climatic zones despite distance, driven by human transit (railways, highways, logistics) passively moving mosquitoes and drought-resistant eggs across states. Unplanned urbanisation, water storage and construction sites aid breeding; anthropophilic niches buffer climate extremes, enabling interbreeding. Pyrethroid fogging/sprays select knockdown-resistance mutations. Native to West Africa; spread via maritime trade; day-biting, breeds in clean stagnant water in containers; co-occurs with A. albopictus (suburban/rural vegetation).

Miniature lunar-orbit observatories, UK-led CosmoCube and India’s proposed PRATUSH, aim to detect redshifted 21 cm (1420 MHz) hyperfine “spin-flip” neutral hydrogen signals now at 10–100 MHz over ~13.5 billion years, probing Cosmic Dark Ages (380,000–150 million years post-Big Bang), Cosmic Dawn, Hubble tension and dark matter-baryon interactions. Moon’s far side provides radio-quiet shielding; Earth’s ionosphere blocks <30 MHz. CosmoCube (Cambridge, STFC RAL Space) uses RFSoC radiometer; PRATUSH (RRI Bengaluru, supported by ISRO, DST) uses precision wideband radiometer.