Current Affairs

Conservationists report the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus; family Accipitridae) as near-disappeared/functionally extinct in Tamil Nadu; BNHS has proposed an Egyptian Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme to the State. Smallest Old-World vulture (55–65 cm; 1.5–1.7 m wingspan), it inhabits open arid/semi-arid landscapes across Europe–Africa–West Asia–Indian subcontinent; Indian subspecies N. p. ginginianus is resident, with winter migrants. It scavenges carcasses; Kota leather-working supports food availability. Threats include diclofenac/NSAIDs in carcasses, electrocution, poisoning, cliff disturbance, and reduced food. Status: IUCN Endangered; CITES Appendix II; WPA 1972 Schedule I.

Prime Minister launched Viksit UDAN, the next phase of the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, and inaugurated the new terminal building at Jodhpur Airport. UDAN (“Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik”) is a Central Sector Scheme (October 2016), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and implemented by AAI, to enable affordable air connectivity to Tier-2/3 cities. Viksit UDAN (2026–2036) targets 100 aerodromes from unserved airstrips, 200 modern helipads, regional airport O&M support, and extends VGF support to 5 years (tapering from year 3).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Indonesia’s highest honour, the Bintang Republik Indonesia (Star of the Republic), instituted in 1959, awarded for exceptional service to Indonesia’s unity, continuity and prosperity. During the visit, India–Indonesia MoUs covered minerals and steel supply chains (mining investment, extraction tech, critical minerals), extended maritime safety (Coast Guards, MDA, SAR), rare earth magnets (NFTDC–Midwest–PT PERMINAS), defence (BrahMos, air-to-air missiles), SAIL–PT Krakatau Steel JV in Indonesia, outer space R&D, Prambanan Temple conservation (Yogyakarta), agriculture cooperation, and an IIM Bangalore campus at Singhasari SEZ.

Union Education Ministry released UDISE+ 2025-26 (official database on school infrastructure, enrolment, teachers), based on voluntary uploads by schools with active UDISE+ codes; reference date: March 31, 2026. Secondary GER: 71.7% (68.5%); girls: 48.4% (48.3%). Zero-enrolment institutions: 5,663; West Bengal 4,133 (also Chandigarh, Goa, Delhi, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Haryana). Ramps/handrails: 58.2% (54.9%); internet: 67.4% (63.5%); electricity 95%, girls’ toilets 98.5%, boys’ 97.2%, safe water 99.5%. Dropouts: Classes 3-5 1.8% (2.3%), Classes 9-10 7% (8.2%). Teachers: 1.02 crore; +8.3% since 2022-23. PTR: 10/12/17/21, within NEP 2020 30:1 benchmark; Chandigarh/Delhi high students per school with RTE norms; low in Ladakh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya. Single-teacher schools: 1,00,843; Andhra Pradesh 16,357, Jharkhand 9,827, Punjab 1,749.

MoSPI will launch the Index of Services Production (ISP) in July 2026 as India’s first monthly indicator tracking changes in service-sector output volume, with base year 2024-25, as a counterpart to IIP. A Technical Advisory Committee was constituted in May 2025. Coverage includes key formal services (trade, transport, banking/insurance, telecom, hospitality, real estate, professional services, arts/entertainment). Sources: GST returns, Railways, DGCA, RBI, IRDAI and ASISSE. Method: fixed-weight Laspeyres volume index using GVA-based weights; health and education to be added later. Services contribute over 50% of GVA since 2013-14.

Mission Drishti, an Earth observation satellite developed by Indian space start-up GalaxEye, lost communication following a geomagnetic solar storm. Described as the world’s first OptoSAR satellite, it is India’s largest privately built satellite. It is the first commercial platform combining Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Multi-Spectral Imaging (MSI) sensors, enabling simultaneous single-pass, aligned data capture, yielding three times more information, with all-weather, day-night imaging.

An international team using the European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope (launched 2023) discovered 31 quasars, including the two oldest known, seen when the universe was 670 million years old (about 5% of current age). Quasars are extremely luminous galactic cores powered by supermassive black holes, shining like a trillion suns. Findings inform early galaxy formation, black hole growth and the epoch of reionisation, while raising questions on rapid mass buildup; researchers aim to chronicle the first billion years.

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2026–2035, a joint 10-year forecast of agriculture, biofuels and seafood markets, projects first-generation (food-crop) biofuels made via fermentation/transesterification to dominate through 2035, with second-generation (non-edible, lignocellulosic residues/forestry waste) not gaining much share. By 2035, global ethanol is projected at 162.5 billion litres (maize 61%, sugarcane 22%, molasses 5%, wheat 2%) and biodiesel at 99 billion litres (vegetable oils 69%, used cooking oils/tallow 23%). Biofuel demand may grow 1.4% annually; India, Brazil and Indonesia account for 80% of demand growth.

On July 6, at the 5th Foundation Day of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Union Minister announced setting up India’s first dedicated cooperative life insurance company to expand cooperatives in financial services, provide affordable cover and strengthen financial inclusion, broadening beyond dairy, sugar and fertilisers into Bharat Taxi, insurance and seed systems. It cites IFFCO-Tokio (IFFCO–Japanese JV) precedent; IRDAI approvals/capital are evolving; cooperatives may promote, using 8.5 lakh societies/30 crore members and PACS-as-CSCs, including e-PACS digitisation.

Twelve Indian researchers across three countries discovered a rare bow-and-arrow shaped radio galaxy, RAD-BAARG, ~2 billion light years away, using ultra-sensitive images from the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), a deep low-frequency radio survey. “RAD” refers to the RAD@home citizen-science astronomy platform; “BAARG” denotes Bow and Arrow Radio Galaxy. The ~1.8 million light year-wide object shows asymmetric, distorted jets due to supersonic motion through dense intracluster medium in a complex multi-halo cluster, creating a visible bow shock.

Researchers revalidated the Himalayan pangolin as a distinct extant species, Manis aurita (Family Manidae), earlier treated as a subspecies of Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), using genomic and morphological evidence. A cryptic, nocturnal, scaly ant-eating mammal, it is larger (avg 95.2 cm), with smaller ears and shorter, broader nasal bone. Distribution: southern Himalayan foothills (Nepal, South Tibet, Northeast India incl Assam). Lineages diverged ~1.8 million years ago (early Pleistocene) due to climate change; sharp demographic collapse occurred around the 14th century from cooling/aridification. Not separately IUCN-assessed; CITES Appendix I; WPA, 1972 Schedule I; threats include illegal trade and inbreeding.

Angel tax, under Section 56(2)(viib) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, taxes unlisted companies when shares are issued above fair market value; the excess is treated as income and taxed at 30.9%. Introduced in 2012 to curb black money, it saw a 2019 startup exemption (DPIIT recognition; paid-up capital plus premium ≤₹25 crore, excluding NRI/VCF/specified funds). Angel investors need ₹2 crore net worth or >₹25 lakh income (last 3 FY). A document states abolition for all investor classes.

World Bank Group’s Development Data Group released Country Income Classifications for FY2026–2027 based on 2025 GNI per capita, converted using the Atlas method (3-year moving average of inflation-adjusted exchange rates). Thresholds: low ≤USD 1,175; lower-middle USD 1,176–4,635; upper-middle USD 4,636–14,375; high >USD 14,375. India remains lower-middle. Six countries moved up: Jordan, Micronesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam; Togo rose to lower-middle; none moved down. Low-income share fell from 30% to 11% in 2026; categories affect access to concessional finance.

Indian Navy’s Sail Training Ship (STS) INS Sudarshini sailed into New York Port for the United States International Naval Review 250 and Sail4th 250 celebrations, linked to Sail 250 Maryland and Airshow Baltimore marking the US 250th anniversary. It showcases Lokayan 2026, a 10-month transoceanic expedition covering 13 countries and 18 ports to strengthen maritime cooperation and goodwill. INS Sudarshini, a three-masted barque built by Goa Shipyard Limited, commissioned in 2012, has 20-day endurance and diesel/sail propulsion; sister ship is INS Tarangini.

Forest department rescued a 12-year-old tigress and five cubs from Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, located in Chamarajanagar and Mysuru at the tri-junction of Karnataka–Tamil Nadu–Kerala, forming a Western–Eastern Ghats corridor. Established in 1931 as Venugopala Wildlife Park, it borders Nagarahole (via Kabini reservoir), Mudumalai and Wayanad; rivers Kabini, Moyar, Nugu; peak Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta; dry/moist deciduous forests; teak/rosewood/sandalwood; tiger, leopard, sloth bear; Project Tiger (1973, first nine) and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO WHS).

Researchers from IISER Pune and Savanna Science Foundation discovered a new plant species, Canscora agni (family Gentianaceae; genus Canscora), native to Indian savannas of Western India. Closest relative is C. alata. “Agni” means fire (including in Marathi). A dwarf herb (to 10 cm), it inhabits fire-prone mesic savannas with surface fires every 1–5 years; fire suppression and large-scale tree planting threaten its open grassy habitat.

The Ministry of Rural Development rolled out LokOS (People Operating System) under DAY-NRLM to digitise end-to-end management of SHGs and CBOs, covering member profiles, savings, lending, repayments, livelihoods and convergence initiatives. It registers SHGs, VOs and CLFs, provides Aadhaar- and bank-linked digital IDs, enables role-based approvals and real-time analytics, and captures about ₹2 lakh crore SHG transactions annually. SHE-LEAPS, launched June 2026 under LokOS, supports rural women entrepreneurship.

WHO confirmed a new Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) case in Uganda. MVD (formerly Marburg haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal illness first detected in 1967 (Marburg/Frankfurt, Germany; Belgrade, Serbia). It is caused by Marburg (MARV) and Ravn (RAVV) viruses (Orthomarburgvirus marburgense; Filoviridae, related to Orthoebolavirus). Natural host: Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bat; spreads via caves/mines and body fluids; incubation 2–21 days. CFR averages ~50% (up to 88%); no approved antivirals/vaccines; cAd3-Marburg is in trials.

Ministry of Jal Shakti launched the 7th National Water Awards on the Rashtriya Puraskar portal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to recognise work in water conservation and management. Introduced in 2018, the awards are instituted by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Eligible entities include States, Districts, Urban Local Bodies, Dam-owning agencies and industries. Winners receive a trophy and citation across categories including Best State, District, ULB, project and CSR.

During Bangladesh PM’s China visit, talks covered the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP). Teesta, a Jamuna (Brahmaputra) tributary, rises at Tso Lhamo Lake (Sikkim), flows through Sikkim–West Bengal into Bangladesh and drains to Bay of Bengal; basin hosts 1200 MW Teesta-III. TRCMRP covers 100 km with Chinese funding, near Siliguri Corridor; linked CBMEC may access Bay of Bengal. India–Bangladesh pacts: Ganga Treaty 1996 (30-year, Farakka), Feni 2019 (1.82 cusecs), Kushiyara 2022 (153 cusecs).

Indian Prime Minister will visit Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand next week. New Zealand is an island country in Oceania, located in the South Pacific southeast of Australia and south of New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. It comprises North and South Islands separated by Cook Strait; capital Wellington. Part of Pacific Ring of Fire; climate ranges subtropical north to cool temperate south. Highest peak: Mount Cook (12,316 ft); active volcano: Mount Ruapehu; largest glacier: Tasman; largest natural lake: Taupō; resources include gold, silver, iron sands, phosphate and limestone.

SEBI’s Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) have crossed ₹13,814 crore in assets under management. Introduced via amendments to the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, SIFs bridge regular mutual funds and Portfolio Management Services (PMS), with a ₹10 lakh minimum investment per investor. They offer equity, debt or hybrid strategies (one per category). AMC eligibility: 3 years’ operation with average ₹10,000 crore AUM, or a CIO (10 years; ≥₹5,000 crore) plus a fund manager (3 years; ≥₹500 crore).

Odisha Forest Department’s wildlife wing has put on hold the Indian gaur (bison) translocation programme in Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary due to anthropogenic pressure, especially cattle presence. Chandaka lies on Bhubaneswar’s outskirts, at the northeastern limits of the Eastern Ghats, and was declared to preserve wild elephants and habitats. Kumarkhunti reservoir is its only summer water source; vegetation mixes evergreen and deciduous elements; fauna includes elephants, chital, sloth bear, pangolin, python and peafowl.

India enabled its first satellite-based landing system approach on a commercial jet using GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation), an indigenous SBAS developed by ISRO and Airports Authority of India. It provides real-time GPS correction and integrity information and is the first SBAS certified for the equatorial region. Infrastructure: 15 INRES, 2 INMCC, 3 INLUS; space segment: GSAT-8/10/15. Coverage: Indian FIR and ~1500 km beyond; interoperable with WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS.