Current Affairs

The Indian Navy has successfully launched Machilipatnam, the seventh of the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC). Built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited, this highly capable vessel will significantly boost India's coastal defence and underwater surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region.

The ASW SWC project aims to replace the Indian Navy's aging Abhay-class corvettes. These specialised ships are designed to operate in shallow coastal waters to detect and neutralise enemy submarines. The ship derives its name from Machilipatnam, a historic port city in Andhra Pradesh that served as a major global trading hub for the Golconda Sultanate, the Dutch, the British, and the French during the 16th and 17th centuries.

GS3: Security

International Tiger Day is being observed globally to raise awareness about tiger conservation and habitat protection. Driven by strong institutional support and community participation, India has emerged as a global leader, now hosting nearly 70% of the world's wild tiger population (out of approximately 5,711 globally).

International Tiger Day was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where 13 tiger-range countries adopted the Tx2 goal to double the wild tiger population by 2022. To provide a robust foundation for tiger protection in India, the government launched Project Tiger in 1973 and established the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

GS3: Environment & Conservation

The nation is celebrating Guru Purnima, a sacred festival dedicated to expressing gratitude towards spiritual and academic teachers. Leaders across the country, including the Vice President and Prime Minister, extended their greetings, highlighting the vital role of 'Gurus' in shaping society.

Guru Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July). It is also known as Vyasa Purnima, marking the birth anniversary of sage Veda Vyasa, the revered author of the epic Mahabharata. For Buddhists, this day holds immense historical significance as it marks the day Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya.

GS1: Art & Culture

India achieved its highest-ever total exports of $863.1 billion in the financial year 2025-26. This historic milestone was driven by robust growth in both merchandise ($441.8 billion) and services ($421.3 billion) sectors, significantly boosted by expanding market access through recent Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

International trade is a key pillar of India's macroeconomic stability. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is an arrangement between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade and investment, such as tariffs and quotas. Over recent years, India has actively pursued FTAs with regions like the UAE (CEPA), Australia (ECTA), and the EFTA bloc (TEPA) to integrate into global value chains and boost labour-intensive sectors. By leveraging these agreements, India aims to diversify its export destinations beyond traditional markets.

GS3: Economy

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified new recruitment rules reserving 50% of Constable (General Duty) vacancies in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) exclusively for ex-Agniveers. This significant policy update aims to ensure long-term career stability and rehabilitation for youth completing their four-year tenure under the Agnipath military recruitment scheme.

The new SSB Combatised General Duty Group ‘C’ Posts Recruitment Rules, 2026, supersede the older 2011 guidelines. To facilitate a smooth transition, ex-Agniveers will be exempted from the written examination, Physical Standard Test (PST), and Physical Efficiency Test (PET). The Agnipath Scheme, launched in 2022, recruits soldiers (Agniveers) for four years, after which 25% are retained in the armed forces. Initially, the MHA had announced a 10% reservation in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for the remaining 75%, which has now been substantially expanded to 50% specifically for the SSB.

GS3: Security

India has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 12.16% of the global maritime workforce. Surpassing China, Russia, and Indonesia, India now ranks only behind the Philippines, marking a massive leap from its fifth position in 2015.

Seafarers are maritime professionals responsible for operating and navigating commercial ships, forming the backbone of global trade (as about 80% of world trade volume is carried by sea). India has seen remarkable growth in its maritime workforce, jumping from just 5.2% in 2015 to 12.16% in 2026. This surge is driven by government initiatives, robust maritime training academies, and strict adherence to international maritime standards under the Directorate General of Shipping.

GS3: Economy

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Madhya Pradesh government are signing an MoU to establish India's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior. This initiative aims to boost domestic production of next-generation telecom equipment, attract investments, and create a world-class manufacturing ecosystem under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision.

The push for domestic telecom manufacturing is crucial to reduce import dependence, especially from countries like China, and to secure India's critical communication infrastructure. The government previously launched the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 2021 to boost local manufacturing of telecom and networking products. A dedicated Telecom Manufacturing Zone will act as a concentrated hub, providing shared infrastructure, testing facilities, and a supportive environment for MSMEs, startups, and global tech giants to innovate and manufacture locally.

GS3: Economy, GS3: Science & Technology

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the DAANVEER initiative, a unique citizen engagement platform designed to strengthen the digital infrastructure of Gram Panchayats across India. Through the Meri Panchayat app, citizens and organizations can now voluntarily donate computers and other technological equipment directly to local bodies.

The digital empowerment of rural local bodies is a core component of the Digital India mission. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), adding Part IX to the Constitution to empower them as institutions of self-government. However, many Gram Panchayats still face a severe shortage of IT infrastructure, hindering effective e-governance. DAANVEER institutionalizes the spirit of voluntary contribution to address this technological gap, ensuring transparency and accountability in the donation process.

GS2: Governance, GS2: Devolution of Powers