Current Affairs

Coastal Local Area Bank Ltd, headquartered in Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), has been accorded Scheduled Bank status. Under Section 42(6) of the RBI Act, 1934, criteria include inclusion in the Second Schedule, minimum paid-up capital and collected funds of ₹5 lakh, and compliance/inspection under RBI norms and the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Local area banks require ₹5 crore initial paid-up capital. Scheduled status enables RBI refinancing, clearing-house membership, and higher depositor confidence, aiding CASA and deposit-cost reduction.

Researchers at CeNS Bengaluru, IISER Kolkata and JNCASR Bengaluru developed a peptide-based piezoelectric biomaterial for biomedical use. Piezoelectricity is charge generation under mechanical stress. They found identical peptide chemistry shows different functionality with molecular arrangement: in water it self-assembles into nanofibers with no detectable response, while ~1% co-solvent induces supramolecular reorganisation with strong response. Characterisation used AFM, FESEM and computational simulations; applications include implantable sensors, electronic skin, wearables and energy harvesting from body movements.

India’s first genome-wide endometriosis study identified 21 genetic regions potentially linked to the disease in Indian women, suggesting genetic susceptibility. Endometriosis involves endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus, causing inflammation, scarring, severe period pain, chronic pelvic pain and infertility; it can occur from menarche to menopause and affects ~10% women of reproductive age (~190 million globally), with no definitive cure. The ECGRI initiative, spanning 18 centres, created a clinical-genomic dataset and biorepository using surgically confirmed cases and controls, aiding mechanisms, earlier recognition, non-invasive diagnostics and personalised treatment.

Recent eruptions of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau (“Child of Krakatoa”) in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra disrupted air travel. Part of the historic Krakatoa volcanic system, it reflects persistent Sunda Arc volcanism. Indonesia has over 100 active volcanoes, the world’s highest concentration; Smithsonian GVP lists Indonesia, the US and Japan as having most active volcanoes. Volcanism relates to the Pacific Ring of Fire (horseshoe around the Pacific), dominated by subduction-zone plate boundaries. Indonesia lies at the Indo-Australian, Eurasian (Sunda) and Pacific plates’ intersection, heightening earthquake, eruption and tsunami risks.

Banaras Hindu University is systematically documenting 10,000+ artefacts from Rajghat, on Varanasi’s north-eastern outskirts near the Ganga-Varuna confluence, identified as the urban core/capital of ancient Kashi Janapada. Occupation spans pre-NBPW early Iron Age (~800 BCE) to Gupta period, with seals (some Greek), punch-marked coins, iron tools, ivory, terracotta and jars. Rajghat evidences Second Urbanisation and anchors ceramic dating; 1960s human remains face DNA/isotope analysis.

PSLV will launch the Indo-French TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment) Earth observation mission next year, jointly by ISRO and CNES. It will monitor surface temperature, emissivity, biophysical and radiation variables for energy budgeting, water stress/use, water quality, urban heat islands, thermal anomalies, snow-melt and glacier dynamics, and aerosols/water vapour/clouds. Payloads: CNES four-channel TIR sensor and ISRO 7-band VNIR-SWIR. Sun-synchronous orbit 761 km; resolution 57 m (land/coast), 1 km (ocean/polar); 5-year life; supports GEOGLAM, SDGs, Global Water Watch; outputs EAVs/ECVs.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the last three sections (New Sanand-New Makarpura, New Umbergaon-New Saphale, New Saphale-New JNPT) at Vadodara, completing the 1,506-km Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (JNPT, Navi Mumbai-Dadri, UP) with direct port connectivity. With EDFC (1,337 km; Ludhiana-Sonnagar) fully commissioned in Oct 2023, India’s DFC network is 2,843 km. Implemented by DFCCIL (SPV, 2006), funded by World Bank (₹14,900 crore), JICA (₹38,722 crore) and budgetary support.

The U.K. has officially recognised India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) under its carbon tax mechanism, affecting treatment of Indian carbon credits, exporters, and India-UK carbon market cooperation. CCTS, notified under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, is managed by the Ministry of Power and administered by BEE. It prices GHG emissions via tradable Carbon Credit Certificates (1 metric ton CO2e), with compliance and voluntary offset mechanisms, replacing PAT and underpinning the Indian Carbon Market. Recognition may lower CBAM-related costs, avoid double carbon charging, and improve export competitiveness.

A Siditale hero stone was found at Barakuru (Barkur), Udupi district, Karnataka, during an epigraphical survey at the Panchalingeshwara Temple (southern end of the town). Barakuru, on the Sita river near the Arabian Sea, was a port-commercial centre since 2nd century BC, with Mesolithic/Megalithic evidence and foreign maritime trade. Alupas made it their capital (10th-11th century AD); later it was Hoysala and Vijayanagara provincial HQ with a fort. The town had 10 “Keris”, once 365 temples, a Jain settlement, and over 100 stone plus several copper-plate inscriptions (Alupa-Keladi periods).

ICMR-NICPR study found nicotine pouches entering Indian cities via online platforms, hookah shops and gig delivery; WHO warned (May 2026) of health dangers. Pouches are tobacco-free sachets (nicotine, flavourings, plant fibres) placed between lip and gum. Legal status unclear: not listed under COTPA, 2003; Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 disputed (DCGI approves patches/gums; Schedule K exempts <2 mg gums/lozenges); PECA, 2019 inapplicable. Imports regulated under FTDR Act, 1992 (DGFT ITC-HS) and Customs Act, 1962 (Section 11); WCO HS update created oral nicotine codes; ITC-HS 2404 91 30 “restricted”. Duty-free shops (Customs Act Section 58) per Calcutta HC (2024) are deemed outside India; pouches sold at some airports though not on permitted list unless classified as food.

UNGA-endorsed UN world map (base draft by UN Geospatial, 1 July 2026; resolution passed 4 September 2026) depicts Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin between Indian and Chinese lines; Jammu & Kashmir shows LoC dotted line; Kalapani-Lipulekh-Limpiyadhura reflects India’s administrative control. “Correct the Map” (Togo, backed by African Union) adopts Equal Earth equal-area projection. Map is non-binding but a reference; MEA said India’s vote supported equal-area mapping, not boundary endorsement, and inaccurate depictions are unacceptable.

India joined a US-led international 6G development initiative with 24 other countries after the G20 Innovation Ministerial Meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (US). It aims to build future telecom networks aligned with collective security, technological competitiveness and innovation, including access to global ecosystems, standard-setting, R&D collaboration, stronger network security, a robust semiconductor ecosystem, opportunities for Indian tech firms and reduced dependence on single foreign suppliers. India-US cooperation covers 6G, semiconductors, AI, data centres and emerging technologies; the G20 Innovation Ministerial Statement was adopted, emphasising emerging technologies, prosperity, productivity, economic opportunities and quality of life.

Indonesia’s 2026 fire season saw early peat fires as strengthening El Nino and drought dried wetlands, enabling smouldering, flameless underground combustion lasting months. Peatlands are waterlogged, oxygen-poor wetlands accumulating organic peat; they cover ~3% of land yet store ~30% global soil carbon (twice forests). Indonesia has ~36% tropical peatlands (Kalimantan, Sumatra, Papua; peat >20 m in Kalimantan). Haze drove “unhealthy” air across Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines; indices neared 75× WHO limits. NASA: peat fires emit 3× PM2.5, 5× SO2 and high CO, raising respiratory illness.

A study in peer-reviewed journal Icarus reconstructs an ancient Martian flood originating from the Valles Marineris canyon system using two-dimensional hydraulic modelling. It estimates ~1,245 trillion cubic metres water release, potentially raising the mean level of a hypothesised ancient Martian ocean by ~34 metres. Valles Marineris, the Solar System’s largest canyon (>4,000 km; equatorial), likely hosted paleolakes (ancient lakes). Evidence includes valleys, basins, sediments, deltas, channels, and Oceanus Borealis (hypothesised northern-lowlands ocean).

Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) data show alternative fuel passenger vehicles (PVs) exceeded petrol/ethanol PVs in India’s retail sales for the first time: alternative powertrains 41.95% vs petrol/ethanol 40.85%; diesel 17.21%. Alternative split: CNG 25.28% (largest), strong/plug-in hybrids ~9%, EVs 7.63%. In Aug 2025, petrol led alternatives by 11 points. Drivers include fuel costs and E20 rollout concerns. Rural PV sales rose 24.99% YoY vs urban 10.93%. Total EV sales (all segments) were 2.98 lakh units, up 52.9% YoY.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Geneva (Switzerland), warned that El Nino may intensify through 2027, raising risks of extreme weather, agricultural stress and economic instability, amid unusually warm ocean waters. El Nino involves warming in the central/eastern tropical Pacific, weakened trade winds and eastward warm-water shift; in India, weaker southwest monsoon, droughts, heatwaves. La Nina is cooling with stronger trade winds, often strengthening monsoon and flood risk. Above-average June-August temperatures are forecast globally.

FAO’s August 2026 technical brief “Traditional herbal medicines as alternatives to antimicrobials in the livestock sector” notes traditional herbal medicines (plant-based extracts with multiple active compounds) and ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) as anti-infective options to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use. Challenges include limited evidence, variability, poor standardisation, safety and regulatory gaps. In India, NDDB’s alternate methods project in 8 states targets 1.1 million EVM interventions by March 2025 with >80% reported success; DAHD recommends EVM in treatment guidelines and trains farmers.

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has crossed ₹200 crore in cumulative disbursements under India’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework, under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, for research and commercial use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. Recent ABS proceeds relate to bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion, involving Nunhems India, East-West Seeds India and Bayer Science and Innovation. SBBs/UT Councils must use funds per Section 32(2) for PBRs, in-situ/ex-situ conservation, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity heritage sites, capacity-building and local livelihoods, aligned with CBD, Nagoya Protocol and Kunming-Montreal GBF (Target 13).

Bhutan is the first in WHO South-East Asia Region to be validated for eliminating dog-mediated rabies deaths as a public health problem. WHO requires zero human deaths for ≥2 consecutive years and capacity to prevent re-emergence. Rabies is a viral zoonosis mainly spread via dog bites; India’s National Rabies Control Programme targets zero dog-mediated human deaths by 2030. Bhutan used One Health with mass dog vaccination, surveillance and PEP.

Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Gujarat, commissioned India’s first spherical tokamak and began plasma experiments. A tokamak confines extremely hot plasma using strong magnetic fields, as fusion-temperature plasma cannot be contained by material walls. India joins global spherical tokamak research; examples include UK MAST-U/ST40/STEP, US NSTX-U, Japan QUEST; programmes also in China, South Korea, Russia, Italy and Spain. Benefits: continuous low-carbon power, no chain reaction, inherent safety and advances in magnets/materials.

Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology began the third phase of underwater archaeological exploration off Poompuhar (Puhar) coast in Mayiladuthurai district. Puhar, meaning river estuary, lies near where the Cauvery enters the Bay of Bengal and was an ancient port city, Kaveripoompattinam, once capital of Early Chola kings. Excavations indicate great antiquity; offshore pottery dates to 4th century BCE. Silappathikaram and Manimekalai mention it; the town faced repeated tsunami destruction.

America’s Poison Centers reported ~40% rise in vitamin B6 poisoning cases over the last decade, though poisoning remains extremely rare. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble vitamin found in foods and fortified products; supplements are oral capsules, tablets or liquids. It supports brain development, nerve and immune health, hemoglobin, antibodies, protein metabolism and glucose regulation. Deficiency risk: kidney disease, malabsorption, autoimmune disorders, some epilepsy drugs, alcohol dependence; causes anemia, confusion, depression, glossitis, neuropathy. Large doses can cause incoordination, numbness and sensory changes.

Russia’s annual Eastern Economic Forum (Vladivostok) promotes Far East investment and Asia-Pacific cooperation. Established by President Vladimir Putin in 2015, it is a key platform linking Russian and global investment communities, attracting leaders from China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia and Myanmar. The Russian Far East is easternmost Russia; cold, sparsely populated; borders the Pacific and Arctic and China, Japan, Mongolia, the US and DPRK; spans four time zones; resources include gold, diamonds, oil and gas; holds about one-third of Russia’s coal and hydro-engineering resources.

The Supreme Court held that the Bar Council of India (BCI) and its chairperson lack jurisdiction to discipline or penalise law students, reiterating BCI’s statutory role under the Advocates Act, 1961. Created by Parliament, BCI regulates and represents the Indian bar, sets professional conduct standards, exercises disciplinary control over advocates, sets legal education standards and recognises law degrees, and conducts the All India Bar Examination for Certificates of Practice.

NSE’s proposed IPO aims to raise ~₹30,000 crore after nearly a decade of SEBI-related delays. SEBI bars an exchange from listing on its own platform due to conflict-of-interest, as exchanges act as first-level regulators. NSE proposes a Permitted-to-Trade (PTT) route: list on BSE, then seek SEBI permission to trade on NSE without NSE listing, with BSE as primary compliance platform and NSE SOPs for surveillance/price bands. SEBI rejected BSE’s similar PTT plan in 2017; SEBI Chair Tuhin Kanta Pandey said no substantive decision yet; BSE MD Sundararaman Ramamurthy cited no legal basis for self-trading.

A study proposes that ultra-heavy dark matter captured in dense stellar remnants can accumulate at the core and collapse into tiny black holes (initial mass ~40 tonnes). Their survival depends on Hawking evaporation versus continuous dark-matter feeding; if feeding dominates, the black hole may grow and consume the host star. Long-lived millisecond pulsars (neutron stars, <10 ms; ~1 billion years) and white dwarfs (~10 billion years) constrain such dark matter, inferred via gravity, not light.