Current Affairs

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2026, under MoEFCC, amend PWM Rules, 2016 (ban carry bags <50 microns; local bodies’ responsibility; Extended Producer Responsibility). EPR recycling targets: 35% (2021–22), 70% (2022–23), 100% by 2024–25. Recycled content mandate in packaging: Category I 30% (2026–27) to 60% (2028–29); Categories II–III stress reuse/collection; Category IV compostable needs CPCB certification. Reuse target for large drinking-water containers: 70% (2025–26) to 85%. Allows 3-year carry-forward of shortfalls (clear 33% yearly); audits by registered environment auditors; QR/barcode traceability; exemptions where other laws restrict; enforcement by ULBs/Gram and district panchayats.

India inducted INS Aridaman (2026), completing three operational nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) and strengthening the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad for assured second-strike. It displaces ~7,000 tonnes, has 8 vertical launch tubes, and can fire K-15 (750 km) and K-4 (3,500 km) SLBMs. Built ~90% indigenously with DRDO support and Russian collaboration; Arihant (2016) and Arighaat (2024). A fourth SSBN is under construction; Project-75I targets six AIP conventional submarines.

Rajya Sabha Chairman (Vice-President, ex-officio, Article 89) administered oath/affirmation to 19 newly elected/re-elected members. Members are indirectly elected by elected State Legislative Assembly members under Article 80, through proportional representation by single transferable vote. Eligibility: Indian citizen, minimum 30 years, elector. Oath under Article 99 and Third Schedule; in English or any Eighth Schedule language. Before oath, Article 104 bars sitting/voting; penalty ₹500/day.

SMILE (Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer) is an ESA mission with the Chinese Academy of Sciences under ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015–2025. Planned launch from Europe’s Spaceport, French Guiana, on Vega‑C (to polar orbit), scheduled April 9, 2026 (postponement possible). It will study solar wind–magnetosphere interaction via global X‑ray imaging; uses soft X‑ray/UV imagers, magnetometer and ion analyser; 3‑year mission in highly elliptical orbit (apogee ~121,000 km; perigee ~5,000 km).

India achieved criticality in its 500 MW Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, operated by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, marking progress in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear programme (proposed in 1954 by Dr. Homi J. Bhabha). Criticality is a self-sustaining chain reaction. The FBR uses uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel, liquid sodium coolant, and a U-238 blanket for transmutation to breed more fuel, aiding thorium use, passive safety and waste reduction.

Conservationists conducted a 30-km march in Karnataka’s Aghanashini valley to assess declining fruiting and habitat conditions of Appemidi, a raw, aromatic “king of pickling mangoes” with GI tag (2009). Native to Aghanashini, Bedthi and Sharavati river valleys (Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga), it grows naturally in moist riverbank forest microclimates (24–30°C). Small parrot-beak fruits (~10 g); varieties include Ananta, Bhattana, Kanchappa and Karnakundala. In-situ conservation is preferred.

Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra; family Bovidae), extinct in Chhattisgarh since 1927, is being restored through a 2018 reintroduction programme under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; 77 individuals were first released. Population is about 190 in 2026 (wild plus enclosures), monitored using pan-tilt-zoom infra-red cameras and daily forest-guard patrols. Further introduction is planned in Gomardha Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district. IUCN: Least Concern; CITES Appendix III (India). WPA Schedule I protection; threats include habitat loss, poaching and conflict.

A Supreme Court judge stressed that independence of the Election Commission of India (ECI) is vital for neutral elections and institutional credibility. The ECI is an autonomous constitutional authority established on 25 January 1950 (Articles 324–329), comprising the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners, appointed by the President. Tenure is six years or up to 65 years; removal safeguards exist. It conducts elections for President, Vice President, Parliament and State Legislatures.

ISRO launched Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment), a behavioural study to assess Gaganyaan crew readiness under extreme conditions. Conducted by ISRO in partnership with the Indian Air Force’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine, it evaluates physiological, psychological and operational performance under stress through simulated hypoxia, low temperature and isolation. The mission is being conducted at Leh, Ladakh.

Meghalaya became the third Indian state, after Maharashtra and Gujarat, to formally partner with Starlink, a SpaceX satellite-internet service launched in 2019, planned for up to 42,000 Low Earth Orbit satellites. Satellite internet uses GEO/NGSO (LEO/MEO) for wireless connectivity without terrestrial fibre, via space, ground and user segments. In India, DoT regulates under Unified Licence; TRAI recommends spectrum terms; IN-SPACe authorises private space activities.

Bioluminescence, increasingly reported on Indian coasts (Goa, Maharashtra) and Western Ghats forests, is light emission by organisms via luciferase-driven oxidation of luciferin; some (squid, anglerfish) use symbiotic bacteria. It occurs in ~76% marine animals, rarely in freshwater, producing “cold light”. Uses include prey/mate attraction, camouflage, defence (glowing mucus) and fungal spore dispersal. Examples: fireflies, dinoflagellates on Indian beaches. WWI soldiers used glow worms for maps; light pollution disrupts cycles.

National Anubhav Awards 2026 campaign recorded a high number of published write-ups; entries will be honoured. Launched in March 2015, it is administered by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions to recognise retiring/retired employees and document administrative history via best practices and insights. Eligible: retiring within 8 months or retired within 3 years (Central Government/CPSU/PSBs). Requires a 5,000-word portal write-up; Tier-I (40 marks) and Tier-II evaluation, with NOCs/IB/Secretary clearance. Final authority: Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare. Awards: National Award (medal, certificate, ₹10,000) and Jury Certificate; 63 awards and 29 jury certificates so far.

Gujarat became the second state after Uttarakhand to adopt a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) through a recently passed bill. UCC, envisaged under Article 44 (DPSP), seeks a common framework for marriage, divorce, succession, inheritance and live-in relationships irrespective of religion. It exempts Scheduled Tribes and constitutionally protected customary groups, prohibits bigamy, and mandates live-in registration. Goa follows the Portuguese Civil Code, 1867; courts cited UCC in Shah Bano (1985) and Sarla Mudgal (1995); concerns include religious freedom, diversity and consensus.

Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise on St. Helena, trended globally after death rumours, highlighting longevity and conservation. The species (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) belongs to family Testudinidae, also called Seychelles giant tortoise. It inhabits grasslands, scrub forests and coastal dunes, is native to Seychelles with largest population on Aldabra Atoll, and introduced elsewhere. Males reach 250 kg. IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: Appendix II; threats include habitat loss, illegal hunting and climate change.

A Union Minister unveiled a roadmap to reduce dependence on imported petroleum, ammonia and fertilisers, highlighting the Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme. Approved in 2024 with an outlay of ₹8,500 crore, it promotes coal and lignite gasification to produce syngas and value-added products. It covers public and private projects under three categories: Category I PSU-led, Category II private and PSU, and Category III demonstration and small-scale projects.

The Election Commission of India issued the Election Symbols (Amendment) Order, 2026, relaxing criteria for Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) to retain a common election symbol. RUPPs can now retain a symbol with at least 1% vote share in either of the last two elections; earlier, 1% was required in both Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. RUPPs remain unrecognised and lack reserved-symbol and other benefits.

Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced in Lok Sabha (nodal: Ministry of Home Affairs), tightens regulation and accountability of foreign contributions (currency, security or specified-value articles) from foreign governments/agencies, companies, trusts/societies and foreign citizens. On non-renewal/expiry/denial, registration ceases and contributions/assets vest in a Designated Authority; unutilised amounts return on restoration, else permanent vesting for public purposes/transfer/disposal with proceeds to Consolidated Fund of India. Duties include inspection and no transfer without approval; appeal to District Judge within 90 days; Centre may exempt in public interest. Prohibition extends to persons producing/broadcasting news/current affairs; max imprisonment reduced to 1 year and prior government approval required before investigation.

MSME TEAM Initiative (2024–FY 2024-27) is a sub-scheme under the World Bank-supported central sector RAMP scheme of the Ministry of MSME, implemented by NSIC. It aims pan-India onboarding of 5 lakh Udyam-registered Micro and Small Enterprises onto ONDC, with 50% women-owned. Support includes district workshops, TEAM Portal/Seller Network Participants, training (digital marketing, SEO, online dispute resolution), regional-language tools, and subsidies of ₹2,500 (cataloguing) and ₹5,000 (account management).

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), signed in 2022, expands market access and trade. It targets India’s exports to Australia rising from USD 4 billion (FY 2020–21) to USD 8.5 billion (FY 2024–25) and total trade of USD 19.3 billion in FY 2025–26 (up to February). India grants access on 70.3% tariff lines; Australia on 100%, with zero-duty for all Indian exports from 1 January 2026. Gains span textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and agriculture; includes an organic-sector Mutual Recognition Arrangement. Wider cooperation continues via Quad, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Partnership, 2+2 dialogue, AUSINDEX, 2021 Mutual Logistics Support Agreement, and Critical Minerals Investment Partnership including renewables/green hydrogen.

Punjab and Haryana High Court held that promotion is not a fundamental right, but the right to be considered for promotion is constitutionally protected under Article 14 and Article 16(1), covering the full service span. Citing Ajit Singh vs State of Punjab, it noted eligible employees in the zone of consideration must be assessed by DPC. In Kulwant Singh, exclusion due to rule misinterpretation warranted notional, retrospective promotion and regular DPC meetings.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Indonesia, causing casualties and underscoring its high seismic risk due to tectonic plate convergence in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Indonesia’s capital is Jakarta; it lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans off mainland Southeast Asia. Major islands include Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua; it borders East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia, is a NAM founding member with India, has 100+ active volcanoes (Merapi, Krakatoa) and a tropical equatorial climate.

Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (MHA) announced Census 2027 from 1 April 2026: self-enumeration, then house listing/housing census and population enumeration; digital collection via apps/portal; supervised by Census Management and Monitoring System. Union subject (Seventh Schedule), under Census Act, 1948; decennial; first delayed by six years. Coverage: 28 States, 8 UTs, 784 districts, 5127 statutory towns, 4580 census towns, 639902 villages; 33 items. RGI (1949) also handles CRS, NPR, MTS, SRS; NPR under Citizenship Rules, 2003; NPR≠NRC; caste data differs from SECC 2011.

ISRO opened registrations for YUVIKA 2026 (Young Scientist Programme); Union Minister highlighted its role in inspiring school students towards space/STEM careers. Launched 2019, implemented by ISRO and administered by Department of Space, it targets Class 9 through a 2-week residential programme at VSSC Thiruvananthapuram, URSC Bengaluru, SDSC SHAR Sriharikota, SAC Ahmedabad, NRSC Hyderabad, NE-SAC Shillong, IIRS Dehradun, IPRC Mahendragiri and RRSC Jodhpur; covers satellite/propulsion/astrophysics/missions, model rocketry and facility visits; fully funded with II AC fare reimbursement; 15% seats for rural/remote students.

Indian Navy inducted INS Agray, the 4th Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (Arnala-class; 8 ships) designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, with over 80% indigenous content involving MSMEs. Built to Indian Register of Shipping rules, it is optimised for shallow coastal waters, with waterjet propulsion and low acoustic signature. Roles include ASW, coastal surveillance, mine detection/neutralisation, and fleet escort, using advanced sonars, indigenous rocket launchers and lightweight torpedoes; named after decommissioned INS Agray (2017).

Atoms4NetZero is a global initiative launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency in January 2025 at COP27, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, to help countries integrate nuclear energy into net zero strategies. It involves IAEA member states, industry, financial institutions and international organisations, focusing on decarbonising electricity, industry and transport, and strengthening energy security, using MESSAGE and FRAMES models, expert missions and capacity building. Nuclear power supplies ~10% of global electricity and 25% of low-carbon electricity.