Current Affairs Revision Hub

News Item

An Indian Air Force contingent comprising four Rafale fighters, two C-17 transport aircraft and over 120 Air Warriors has arrived in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026. The multinational air combat exercise will be conducted from 20 July to 7 August 2026 at Royal Australian Air Force bases in Darwin, Tindal and Amberley.

Prelims Facts

• Exercise Pitch Black is hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force.
• It is a biennial multinational air combat exercise.
• The 2026 edition is scheduled from 20 July to 7 August.
• It will operate from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal in the Northern Territory and Amberley in Queensland.
• India’s contingent includes four Rafale fighters and two C-17 transport aircraft.
• More than 120 Indian Air Force personnel are participating.
• Rafale is a multirole fighter aircraft, while C-17 Globemaster III is a strategic military transport aircraft.

GS Mapping

GS2: India–Australia defence relations; GS3: Defence exercises, air power and military interoperability.

News Item

Bharat Tex 2026, India’s largest global textile event, concluded in New Delhi after bringing the entire textile value chain onto a common platform. The four-day event recorded participation from 138 countries and generated investment commitments exceeding ₹14,300 crore.

Prelims Facts

• Bharat Tex 2026 was held in New Delhi.
• It was a four-day global textile event.
• Participants represented 138 countries.
• The event featured more than 1,600 exhibitors and over 11,000 buyers.
• More than 6,000 international buyers participated.
• It facilitated over 28,000 business-to-business meetings.
• Investment commitments exceeded ₹14,300 crore.
• Nearly 70% of the exhibitors were MSMEs.
• The textile value chain includes fibre, yarn, fabric, apparel and home furnishings.

GS Mapping

GS3: Textile industry, MSMEs, exports, investment and global value chains.

News Item

President Droupadi Murmu will undertake a state visit to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania from 19–25 July 2026. The visit aims to strengthen India’s bilateral political and economic relations and deepen its engagement with the wider Eastern European region.

Prelims Facts

• President Droupadi Murmu’s three-nation visit is scheduled from 19–25 July 2026.
• The countries covered are Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania.
• It will be the first visit by an Indian President to Moldova.
• It will also be the first visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.
• The visit includes delegation-level talks, parliamentary interactions, business forums and meetings with the Indian community.
• Moldova is situated between Romania and Ukraine.
• North Macedonia is a landlocked country in the Balkan Peninsula.
• Romania lies along the western coast of the Black Sea.

GS Mapping

GS2: India’s bilateral relations, diplomatic visits and engagement with Eastern Europe.

News Item

Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal extended greetings on International Justice Day, observed on 17 July. He emphasised the collective responsibility to build a just and compassionate society based on equal opportunities, human dignity and accessible justice.

Prelims Facts

• International Justice Day is observed on 17 July.
• It commemorates the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998.
• The Rome Statute is the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court.
• The Rome Statute entered into force on 1 July 2002.
• The ICC is headquartered at The Hague in the Netherlands.
• The ICC prosecutes individuals, not states.
• The principle of complementarity gives primary responsibility for prosecution to national jurisdictions.
• The International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice are distinct institutions.

GS Mapping

GS2: International institutions, international law, justice, human rights and rule of law.

News Item

A widespread outbreak of a severe stomach infection called Cyclosporiasis has affected over 1,500 people in the United States. It is a type of food poisoning caused by a microscopic parasite found in contaminated food or water.

Background

Foodborne illnesses pose a major challenge to global health and food safety. This particular infection occurs when people consume fresh produce (like leafy greens, spinach, or berries) that has been contaminated with infected feces. Unlike common colds, this disease does not spread directly from person to person through coughing or touching, but rather through agricultural and sanitation failures in the food supply chain.

Prelims Facts

• The disease is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, not a virus or bacteria.
• It is primarily transmitted through the faeco-oral route via contaminated food (like fresh produce) and water.
• The infection does not spread directly from person to person.
• Major symptoms include prolonged watery diarrhea, bloating, and fatigue, which typically begin about a week after exposure.
• Testing is challenging and involves Stool PCR tests to identify the parasite's DNA.
• The primary treatment recommended by health authorities is the antibiotic Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX).

Mains Focus & Analysis

• Outbreaks of foodborne parasitic infections highlight the critical vulnerabilities in global agricultural supply chains. It underscores the urgent need for strict food safety protocols, rigorous water quality monitoring in farming, and advanced genomic surveillance to quickly trace and contain contaminated produce before it causes widespread public health crises.

GS Mapping

GS2: Health, GS3: Science and Technology

News Item

GLP-1 medicines, widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, are showing noticeable side effects on patients' skin, hair, and nails. Rapid weight loss caused by these metabolic drugs can lead to facial fat loss, loose skin, and temporary hair shedding, highlighting the need for coordinated medical and dermatological care.

Background

The human body naturally produces a hormone called Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) in the intestines after eating. It helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin release and makes you feel full by slowing down digestion. Modern science has created synthetic versions (receptor agonists) of this hormone. Initially developed for diabetes management, they became immensely popular globally for their powerful weight-loss capabilities. However, these are serious metabolic drugs, not cosmetic supplements, and their rapid effects put physiological stress on the body, altering nutrition and hormones.

Prelims Facts

• GLP-1 medicines are primarily prescription drugs for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes, not beauty or cosmetic treatments.
• Rapid facial fat loss due to these medications is colloquially known as "Ozempic face", though this is not a medically precise term.
• The sudden nutritional stress from rapid weight loss can trigger Telogen effluvium, leading to significant hair shedding.
• Interestingly, early studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of GLP-1s might help treat certain chronic skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema (which overlap with metabolic dysfunction).
• Proper treatment requires coordination between an endocrinologist (who manages metabolic health) and a dermatologist (who manages visible skin/hair side effects).

Mains Focus & Analysis

• The widespread adoption of GLP-1 drugs underscores the complex relationship between metabolic treatments and systemic side effects. It highlights the necessity for multidisciplinary healthcare approaches—coordinating endocrinology, dermatology, and nutrition—to ensure patient safety. It also raises regulatory concerns regarding the 'off-label' cosmetic misuse of essential metabolic medicines.

GS Mapping

GS2: Health, GS3: Science and Technology

News Item

A major data leak related to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant occurred following a ransomware attack on a third-party server managed by Reliance Infrastructure. Authorities confirmed the leaked data pertains to conventional facilities and does not compromise sensitive core nuclear reactor operations.

Background

Protecting Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) like nuclear plants is vital for national security. The data breach occurred on servers hosted by Yotta Data Services and was posted on a dark web platform named 'World Leaks'. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) clarified that the leaked information only involves the Balance of Plant (BoP) common service facilities, entirely separate from the isolated networks that control nuclear safety. The incident brings critical focus to the cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the third-party supply chains of strategic national assets.

Prelims Facts

• The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) is located in Tamil Nadu and uses Russian VVER technology.
• The leaked files pertain to the Balance of Plant (BoP), which handles non-nuclear conventional operations like cooling and power transmission, keeping the core reactor safe.
• NPCIL operates entirely under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) refers to computer resources whose incapacitation would have a debilitating impact on national security, economy, or public health.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• The incident emphasizes the urgent need for stringent cybersecurity frameworks extending beyond internal networks to encompass third-party vendors and cloud infrastructure. India must enforce rigorous audits and data localization standards to shield its Critical Information Infrastructure from hybrid warfare and state-sponsored cyber threats.

GS Mapping

GS3: Internal Security, GS3: Science and Technology

News Item

Petrol pump dealers have reported that E20 fuel (petrol blended with 20% ethanol) is getting severely contaminated with water. Because ethanol naturally absorbs moisture from the air, water is accumulating in older underground storage tanks, leading to immediate vehicle breakdowns, particularly during the monsoon season.

Background

The Indian government strongly promotes the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme to reduce crude oil import dependence and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The target is to achieve 20% blending (E20) nationwide by 2025-26. However, legacy underground storage tanks at petrol pumps, made of mild steel, were designed for regular petrol (which repels water). When E20 is introduced into these older tanks, ethanol's chemical tendency to absorb water exposes the fuel to condensation and groundwater seepage. This highlights the practical and infrastructural challenges of transitioning to greener biofuels.

Prelims Facts

• E20 Fuel comprises 20% ethanol blended with 80% conventional petrol.
• The Government of India aims to roll out 20% ethanol-blended motor fuel nationwide by 2025-26.
• Ethanol is inherently hygroscopic, meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.
• Phase Separation in fuel tanks occurs when the water-ethanol mix becomes heavier than petrol and settles at the bottom.
• To prevent degradation caused by ethanol, modern dispensing units use specialized neoprene rubber seals instead of regular rubber.

GS Mapping

GS3: Science and Technology, GS3: Environment

News Item

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved two elevated highway projects for Varanasi with a combined capital cost of ₹25,445.96 crore. The projects, covering about 89.26 km, aim to reduce urban congestion, shorten travel time and strengthen multimodal connectivity under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

Prelims Facts

• The two Varanasi elevated corridor projects have a combined capital cost of ₹25,445.96 crore.
• Their combined length is approximately 89.26 km.
• The NH-19–Varanasi Ring Road project is 46.039 km long and costs ₹14,447.64 crore.
• It includes a six-lane elevated main carriageway and connectivity along the Ganga River.
• The Varuna River corridor is 43.218 km long and costs ₹10,998.32 crore.
• It will connect NH-31 with the Varanasi Ring Road.
• Both projects will be implemented under the Hybrid Annuity Model.
• The Varuna River corridor will be implemented by the National Highways Authority of India.
• The projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

GS Mapping

GS3: Infrastructure, highways, public-private partnerships, urban mobility and multimodal connectivity.

News Item

The Indian Navy will host Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 20–23 July 2026. The multinational training engagement will be conducted with the Combined Maritime Forces under the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 to enhance maritime interoperability and professional cooperation.

Prelims Facts

• Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 will be held from 20–23 July 2026.
• It will be hosted by the Southern Naval Command at Kochi.
• The engagement is being conducted in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces.
• It will operate under the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154.
• CTF 154 is the dedicated maritime security training task force of the Combined Maritime Forces.
• CTF 154 was established in May 2023.
• The Indian Navy assumed command of CTF 154 in February 2026.
• The training includes maritime law, counter-narcotics, force protection, boarding procedures and maritime uncrewed systems.

GS Mapping

GS2: International maritime cooperation; GS3: Maritime security, naval training and defence interoperability.

News Item

The Indian Navy will commission Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, on 22 July 2026. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with more than 80% indigenous content, the vessel will strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine and coastal surveillance capabilities in shallow waters.

Prelims Facts

• Malvan will be commissioned on 22 July 2026.
• It is the second vessel of the Mahe-class ASW-SWC series.
• Eight ASW-SWCs are being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy.
• Malvan has more than 80% indigenous content.
• It is approximately 80 metres long and displaces about 1,100 tonnes.
• The vessel uses waterjet propulsion.
• Its weapon and sensor systems include torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, radars and sonar.
• INS Mahe is the first vessel of this ASW-SWC class.
• Malvan is named after a coastal town in Maharashtra.

GS Mapping

GS3: Defence technology, naval modernisation, maritime security and indigenous defence manufacturing.

News Item

India’s social protection coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to 68.4% in 2026, bringing more than 100 crore citizens under at least one social protection benefit. The expansion reflects the widening reach of welfare programmes related to financial security, healthcare and food assistance.

Prelims Facts

• India’s reported social protection coverage reached 68.4% in 2026.
• More than 100 crore citizens are covered under the social protection framework.
• The corresponding coverage was 19% in 2015.
• Social protection coverage generally measures the population receiving at least one social protection benefit.
• Social protection may include healthcare, pensions, insurance, food assistance and income support.
• SDG 1.3 relates to nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.

GS Mapping

GS2: Welfare schemes, social justice, vulnerable sections and inclusive development.

News Item

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Jagannath Rath Yatra, describing it as an expression of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage. He highlighted its values of humility, collective participation, selfless service and social unity.

Prelims Facts

• Jagannath Rath Yatra is primarily associated with Puri in Odisha.
• It is observed on Ashadha Shukla Dwitiya.
• The participating deities are Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
• The procession travels from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple.
• The return journey is called Bahuda Yatra.
• Lord Jagannath’s chariot is Nandighosha.
• Lord Balabhadra’s chariot is Taladhwaja.
• Devi Subhadra’s chariot is Darpadalana.
• The three chariots are reconstructed every year.
• Chariot construction traditionally begins on Akshaya Tritiya.
• Chhera Pahanra is performed by the Gajapati ruler of Puri.

GS Mapping

GS1: Indian culture, religious traditions, festivals and cultural heritage.

News Item

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off India’s first hydrogen train from Jind railway station, Haryana, on 17 July 2026. The train will operate between Jind and Sonipat, marking an important step towards clean and sustainable rail transport in India.

Prelims Facts

• India’s first hydrogen train will be flagged off from Jind railway station in Haryana.
• The train will operate between Jind and Sonipat.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the train on 17 July 2026.
• In Jind, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone and dedicate projects worth around ₹14,700 crore.
• The Jind event will be held at Eklavya Stadium.
• In Chandigarh, projects worth over ₹6,600 crore related to healthcare, education and road infrastructure will be inaugurated or launched.
• PM Modi will inaugurate the Advanced Mother and Child Centre and Advanced Neurosciences Centre at PGIMER Chandigarh.
• In Jalandhar, projects worth over ₹5,470 crore will be inaugurated or launched.
• 75 redeveloped railway stations, including Jalandhar Cantt, will be inaugurated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
• Important places in news: Jind, Sonipat, Chandigarh, Jalandhar and Jalandhar Cantt.

GS Mapping

GS3: Infrastructure, Railways, Clean Energy, Sustainable Transport; GS2: Government Initiatives and Regional Development

News Item

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh Promote Pharma Council (UPPPC) to strengthen quality standards, regulatory compliance and innovation in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. The partnership also covers capacity building, industry–academia collaboration, patient safety and digital adverse-event reporting support for MSMEs.

Prelims Facts

• The MoU was signed during the YEIDA MedTech Investors Meet & Site Visit 2026 at Greater Noida.
• The partnership covers pharmaceuticals as well as medical devices.
• It promotes awareness of the Indian Pharmacopoeia, pharmacovigilance and materiovigilance.
• MSMEs will be supported through digital tools for adverse-event reporting.
• The collaboration includes training programmes, workshops and industry–academia initiatives.

GS Mapping

GS2: Health Governance; GS3: Science and Technology—Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices

News Item

On World Youth Skills Day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla described India’s youth power, talent and innovation as essential foundations for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. He urged young people to adopt modern skills, technology and innovation to promote self-reliance and national development.

Prelims Facts

• World Youth Skills Day is observed annually on 15 July.
• It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
• The first World Youth Skills Day was observed in 2015.
• The 2026 theme was “Skills for a Shared Future”.
• The day highlights skills required for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.

GS Mapping

GS2: Education and Human Resource Development; GS3: Employment and Skill Development

News Item

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal launched a ‘Seafarer-First’ response to protect Indian seafarers operating in conflict-affected waters of West Asia. It provides for real-time vessel monitoring, dedicated liaison officers and round-the-clock inter-ministerial coordination.

Prelims Facts

• The initiative was launched following attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The Directorate General of Shipping was directed to establish a real-time vessel-by-vessel operational dashboard.
• Indian seafarers will be tracked irrespective of the flag of the vessel.
• A dedicated liaison officer will be appointed for every affected Indian seafarer.
• Coordination involves the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, Directorate General of Shipping and Indian Missions in West Asia.
• Shipowners and recruitment agencies must ensure that Indian seafarers are not compelled to sail without adequate information, protection and support.

GS Mapping

GS2: Welfare of Indian Citizens Abroad; GS3: Maritime Security and Global Trade

News Item

The India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the companion Double Contribution Convention (DCC) entered into force on 15 July 2026. CETA provides zero-duty access to nearly 99% of India’s exports to the UK, while the DCC prevents eligible temporarily posted workers and their employers from paying social security contributions in both countries simultaneously. ([Press Information Bureau][1])

Background

India–UK free-trade negotiations were launched in January 2022. After 14 negotiating rounds, the agreement was concluded on 6 May 2025 and signed in London on 24 July 2025. The DCC was signed separately on 10 February 2026. Both agreements became operational after the completion of domestic ratification procedures. ([Press Information Bureau][1])

The 30-chapter CETA covers trade in goods and services as well as digital trade, telecommunications, financial services, intellectual property, government procurement, innovation, small and medium enterprises, sustainability and transparency. It complements the India–UK Roadmap 2030 and the bilateral objective of expanding trade and investment relations. ([Press Information Bureau][1])

Prelims Facts

• India–UK CETA entered into force on 15 July 2026.
• Negotiations were launched in January 2022, concluded on 6 May 2025 and the agreement was signed on 24 July 2025.
• CETA consists of 30 chapters.
• Nearly 99% of India’s exports receive zero-duty access to the UK market.
• UK services commitments cover 137 sub-sectors of export interest to India.
• India has protected sensitive products such as dairy, cereals, millets, edible oils, oilseeds and apples.
• The DCC applies reciprocally to eligible detached workers for temporary postings of up to 60 months.
• DCC concerns social security contributions and does not automatically confer pension, immigration or visa benefits.
• Rules of origin determine whether a product qualifies for preferential tariff treatment.
• Bilateral safeguards may be invoked to address injurious import surges.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• Opportunities: The agreement can improve the price competitiveness of labour-intensive exports, diversify India’s export markets, expand services trade and facilitate the participation of MSMEs, farmers, fisherfolk and manufacturers in global value chains. The DCC can reduce the cost of temporary professional deployment and strengthen India–UK services partnerships.
• Challenges: Actual gains will depend on utilisation of tariff preferences, compliance with rules of origin, sanitary and technical standards, efficient logistics and awareness among smaller exporters. Domestic sectors receiving phased tariff protection may face stronger import competition, while professional mobility will continue to depend on immigration and domestic regulatory requirements.
• Way Forward: India should strengthen export-quality infrastructure, conformity assessment, customs digitisation, trade finance and sector-specific outreach to MSMEs. Authorities should monitor import surges, prevent circumvention of origin rules and periodically assess employment, investment and export outcomes.

GS Mapping

GS2: India–UK bilateral relations and international agreements; GS3: External sector, trade liberalisation, services, MSMEs, employment and global value chains.

News Item

The Union Cabinet has approved the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore. The five-year scheme seeks to increase domestic production and value addition, strengthen supply-chain resilience, promote Indian-owned brands and enhance India’s competitiveness in global electronics manufacturing.

Background

India’s mobile phone manufacturing ecosystem was earlier supported by the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing (PLI-LSEM), which was introduced in 2020 and continued until 31 March 2026. It incentivised incremental production and investment in mobile phones and specified electronic components.

The new MPMS shifts the policy focus beyond large-scale assembly towards higher domestic value addition, local sourcing of critical components, product design, research and development, Indian patents and the creation of globally competitive domestic brands.

Since FY 2014-15, India’s electronics manufacturing has increased sevenfold and electronics exports elevenfold. India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer, while approximately 99.2% of mobile phones used in the country are manufactured domestically. In 2025, smartphones emerged as India’s largest export product category, surpassing traditional export items such as diesel fuel and cut diamonds.

Prelims Facts

• The Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme has a budgetary outlay of ₹62,500 crore.
• Its implementation period is from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
• The basic incentive on eligible sales ranges from 2.25% to 5%.
• Domestic sourcing of major components and sub-assemblies can attract an additional incentive of up to 1.5%.
• Product design and research and development for Indian brands can receive an additional incentive of 3% of eligible sales.
• The scheme targets total mobile phone production of approximately ₹39 lakh crore during its tenure.
• It is expected to create around 60,000 direct jobs.
• India is the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer.
• Approximately 99.2% of mobile phones used in India are manufactured domestically.
• The PLI-LSEM scheme was introduced in 2020 and remained operational until 31 March 2026.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• The MPMS represents a transition from an assembly-led manufacturing strategy to an ecosystem-based approach focused on components, design, research, intellectual property and domestic brands. It can improve export competitiveness, attract investment, generate skilled employment and reduce strategic dependence on concentrated global supply chains.
• However, production-linked incentives alone may not ensure technological self-reliance. India continues to require competitive component manufacturing, semiconductor capacity, specialised skills, reliable logistics, affordable finance and stronger industry–academia research linkages. The government must also ensure that incentives lead to genuine domestic value addition rather than limited assembly or the relabelling of imported inputs.
• A transparent monitoring framework should measure incremental production, exports, domestic sourcing, patents, research expenditure and employment. Support for MSME suppliers, common testing facilities, design centres and workforce skilling will be essential for developing a sustainable mobile manufacturing ecosystem beyond the incentive period.

GS Mapping

GS3: Industrial policy, electronics manufacturing, employment, exports, technological self-reliance and global value chains.

News Item

The Union Cabinet has approved Semicon 2.0 with a total budgetary outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore to develop an integrated semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem in India. Building on Semicon 1.0, the programme provides long-term policy support across six pillars—design, machines and materials, fabrication facilities, ATMP/OSAT, research and development, and talent development.

Background

Semiconductors are foundational components used in telecommunications, automobiles, defence systems, artificial intelligence, consumer electronics, power equipment, medical devices and critical infrastructure. Their complex value chain includes chip design, intellectual property, manufacturing equipment, materials and chemicals, wafer fabrication, assembly, testing and packaging.

India launched its first semiconductor ecosystem programme to support domestic fabrication, packaging and chip design. Under ISM 1.0, 12 manufacturing units involving cumulative investment of more than ₹1.64 lakh crore were approved. These include one silicon fab, one silicon carbide fab, an integrated gallium nitride Micro-LED display fab and nine semiconductor packaging units.

Three approved companies—Micron, Kaynes and CG Semi—have commenced commercial production, while another unit is expected to begin production in 2026. Additionally, 24 semiconductor design projects of start-ups and MSMEs have been approved for financial assistance, and 105 start-ups and MSMEs have received access to industry-standard Electronic Design Automation tools.

Semicon 2.0 seeks to move beyond individual manufacturing projects and build the complete semiconductor value chain, including domestic intellectual property, specialised machinery, chemicals, advanced packaging, research capabilities and skilled personnel.

Prelims Facts

• Semicon 2.0 has a total budgetary outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore.
• The programme is based on six pillars: design, machines and materials, more fabs, ATMP/OSAT, research and development, and talent development.
• India’s first approved semiconductor fab is scheduled to be commissioned in 2028.
• Semicon 2.0 seeks to support silicon fabs, compound-semiconductor fabs, discrete-component fabs and display fabs.
• India’s semiconductor manufacturing journey has begun with nodes ranging from 28 nanometres to 110 nanometres.
• Around 68,000 students have been trained in complex chip design through 315 universities using EDA tools.
• Under ISM 1.0, 12 manufacturing units involving cumulative investment of more than ₹1.64 lakh crore were approved.
• The approved units include one silicon fab, one silicon carbide fab, one integrated gallium nitride Micro-LED display fab and nine packaging units.
• Micron, Kaynes and CG Semi have commenced commercial production.
• Financial assistance has been approved for 24 semiconductor design projects of start-ups and MSMEs.
• A total of 105 start-ups and MSMEs have received access to industry-standard EDA tools.
• A System-on-Chip integrates several electronic functions or components onto a single integrated circuit.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• Strategic significance: Semiconductors are essential for economic activity, digital infrastructure and defence capabilities. Building domestic capacity can reduce exposure to geographically concentrated supply chains, strengthen strategic autonomy and improve resilience during geopolitical or logistical disruptions.
• Ecosystem-based approach: Semicon 2.0 recognises that semiconductor self-reliance cannot be achieved through fabrication plants alone. Domestic capabilities in chip design, equipment, materials, chemicals, packaging, research and skilled manpower are equally important for capturing a larger share of the value chain.
• Economic opportunities: The programme can attract high-technology investment, promote precision manufacturing, support electronics exports and generate demand for specialised engineering, chemicals, logistics and ancillary industries. India’s established capabilities in software and chip design can complement the development of manufacturing and advanced packaging.
• Key challenges: Semiconductor manufacturing is capital-intensive, technologically complex and subject to rapid obsolescence. India must ensure reliable infrastructure, specialised skills, sustained research funding, commercially viable demand, timely project execution and coordination between the Union Government, states, industry and research institutions.
• Way forward: Policy support should be linked to measurable milestones such as production, technology transfer, domestic sourcing, research outcomes and workforce development. India should strengthen industry–academia collaboration, promote indigenous semiconductor intellectual property, develop specialised supplier clusters and maintain a stable long-term policy framework.

GS Mapping

GS3: Science and technology, semiconductor ecosystem, industrial policy, supply-chain resilience, national security and technological self-reliance.

News Item

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched Phase III of the Biomedical Research Career Programme (BRCP), jointly funded by the Department of Biotechnology and the UK-based Wellcome Trust. The programme has an outlay of ₹1,500 crore, comprising ₹1,000 crore from DBT and ₹500 crore from the Wellcome Trust, to support fellowships and biomedical research grants.

Prelims Facts

• Phase III of BRCP has a total outlay of ₹1,500 crore.
• The Department of Biotechnology will contribute ₹1,000 crore and the Wellcome Trust will contribute ₹500 crore.
• BRCP is implemented through the DBT–Wellcome Trust India Alliance.
• The programme was originally launched in 2008.
• Phase III covers 2025-26 to 2030-31, with an extended grant-servicing period up to 2037-38.
• Translational research seeks to convert laboratory discoveries into practical diagnostics, treatments, technologies or healthcare solutions.
• India’s bioeconomy was valued at over USD 195 billion in 2025 and is projected by the government to reach USD 300 billion by 2030.

GS Mapping

GS3: Biotechnology, biomedical research, health innovation, research funding and international scientific cooperation.

News Item

Scientists from the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) have identified approximately 24-million-year-old fossil leaves resembling modern kewda in the Tikak Parbat Formation of Assam’s Makum Coalfield. The discovery indicates that the ancient plant lineage survived in the Indian subcontinent even as global cooling restricted its distribution to tropical regions.

Prelims Facts

• The kewda-like fossil leaves are approximately 24 million years old.
• They were recovered from the Tikak Parbat Formation of the Makum Coalfield in Assam.
• The research was conducted by scientists from BSIP, Lucknow.
• BSIP is an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology.
• Kewda belongs to the Pandanaceae family.
• Distinctive fossil features include sword-shaped leaves, parallel venation and marginal spines.
• Pandanus is presently concentrated mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Fossil evidence indicates that members of this plant group were formerly more widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Global cooling around 34 million years ago contributed to the contraction of many tropical plant lineages towards warmer regions.
• The study was published in the journal Geobios.

GS Mapping

GS1: Physical geography and palaeoclimate; GS3: Biodiversity, evolution, palaeobotany and climate-change studies.

News Item

More than 5.36 lakh citizens have taken the national pledge under the Ageing with Dignity campaign to uphold the care, dignity and rights of senior citizens. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is also operating Elderline 14567, a toll-free, pan-India helpline providing information, guidance, emotional support and field intervention to elderly persons.

Prelims Facts

• Elderline’s toll-free number is 14567.
• It is the National Helpline for Senior Citizens.
• It functions under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Elderline was dedicated to the nation on 1 October 2021.
• It operates in all states and Union Territories.
• Its operating hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on all seven days of the week.
• Elderline provides information, guidance, field intervention and emotional support.
• More than 5.36 lakh citizens have taken the Ageing with Dignity pledge.
• Participants in the pledge campaign receive a digital commitment certificate.

GS Mapping

GS2: Welfare of vulnerable sections, senior citizens, social justice and government interventions.

News Item

At the 49th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC49) in Geneva, seven food standards and guidelines developed under India’s chairmanship or co-chairmanship were adopted. The Commission also approved India’s proposal to initiate work on an international Codex Standard for Cashew Kernels.

Prelims Facts

• CAC is part of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
• The Codex Alimentarius Commission held its first meeting in 1963.
• CAC49 was held in Geneva from 6–10 July 2026.
• Seven India-led or India-supported Codex texts were adopted at CAC49.
• Standards for dried coriander seeds and fresh curry leaves were developed under India’s chairmanship.
• New work on a Codex Standard for Cashew Kernels will be undertaken under the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables.
• India became Co-Chair of the Electronic Working Group on New Food Sources and Production Systems.
• Codex standards promote consumer protection, food safety and fair international food trade.

GS Mapping

GS2: International organisations and India’s role in global institutions; GS3: Food safety, food processing and agricultural exports.

News Item

The Wimbledon Championships 2026 concluded at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, with Jannik Sinner defending the Gentlemen’s Singles title and Linda Noskova winning her first Grand Slam in Ladies’ Singles. The 2026 edition was played from 29 June to 12 July 2026 and continued Wimbledon’s identity as the world’s oldest and most tradition-rich tennis tournament.

Background

Wimbledon began in 1877 at the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London. The first tournament had only Gentlemen’s Singles, with 22 players, and Spencer Gore became the first champion. Today, Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, along with the Australian Open, French Open and US Open. It is the only Grand Slam still played on grass courts and is famous for traditions such as white dress code, Centre Court, Royal Box, strawberries and cream, and historic trophies.

Prelims Facts

• Wimbledon began in 1877.
• It is held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London.
• It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
• The four Grand Slams are Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
• Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam played on grass courts.
• The first Wimbledon tournament had only Gentlemen’s Singles.
• Spencer Gore was the first Wimbledon champion in 1877.
• Wimbledon is associated with SW19, the postal area of Wimbledon in London.
• Important traditions include white dress code, Centre Court, Royal Box, strawberries and cream, and historic trophies.
• Wimbledon 2026 was played from 29 June to 12 July 2026.
• The total prize money for Wimbledon 2026 was £64.2 million.
• The Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ Singles champions each received £3.6 million.
• Gentlemen’s Singles 2026: Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4.
• Jannik Sinner became the 10th player to successfully defend the Wimbledon men’s singles title.
• It was Sinner’s second consecutive Wimbledon title and fifth Grand Slam title.
• Ladies’ Singles 2026: Linda Noskova defeated Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
• Linda Noskova won her first Grand Slam title and became the youngest Wimbledon women’s champion since 2011.
• The Ladies’ Singles final was an all-Czech final between Noskova and Muchova.
• Gentlemen’s Doubles 2026: Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten defeated Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić 7-6(4), 7-6(3).
• Ladies’ Doubles 2026: Guo Hanyu and Kristina Mladenovic defeated Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani 6-3, 7-5.
• Mixed Doubles 2026: Marcelo Arévalo and Jelena Ostapenko defeated Storm Hunter and Marc Polmans 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
• Gentlemen’s Wheelchair Doubles 2026: Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid defeated Tokito Oda and Gustavo Fernández 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• Wimbledon is a useful example of how tradition, commercial growth and global sport coexist. The tournament protects long-standing customs such as grass courts and white clothing, while also modernising through larger prize money, equal pay and greater visibility for women’s, doubles and wheelchair events. For India, such events are relevant for sports diplomacy, global branding, event management and the larger question of how sports can build national and international soft power.

GS Mapping

GS2: Sports Governance, International Events, Soft Power; GS1: Global Cultural Traditions; Essay: Tradition, Excellence and Equality in Sports

News Item

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), launched the next phase of the nationwide “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” campaign. The campaign will conduct creative competitions in a three-tier format: district, state and national levels.

Prelims Facts

• The campaign is being implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through MY Bharat.
• The campaign name is “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat.”
• Registrations began on the MY Bharat portal.
• Competitions will be held in a three-tier format: district, state and national levels.
• District-level competitions will be held from 24 to 27 July 2026.
• State champions will be invited to New Delhi for the national finale.
• The national finale will be held on 12 and 13 August 2026 during the National Youth Summit.
• Five categories are included: Dance, Music, Reel and Short Film, Nukkad Natak and Slam Poetry.

GS Mapping

GS2: Government Initiatives, Youth Affairs, Social Justice, Public Health; GS3: Substance Abuse and Social Awareness

News Item

A massive tree-planting campaign was conducted across India, with major drives in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi. Uttar Pradesh launched a State-wide Vriksharopan Maha Yagya from Gorakhpur and reported planting over 35.27 crore saplings in a single day under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.”

Prelims Facts

• A massive tree-planting campaign was conducted across India.
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the Vriksharopan Maha Yagya from Gorakhpur.
• He planted the sacred Triveni of Neem, Peepal and Banyan near the Link Expressway.
• Uttar Pradesh planted over 35.27 crore saplings in a single day.
• The plantation exceeded the State target of 35 crore by 27.89 lakh saplings.
• Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel planted a white sandalwood sapling at Jan Bhawan.
• The campaign was carried out across all 18 divisions and 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
• Uttar Pradesh’s cumulative plantation for the year stood at 40.29 crore saplings.
• The Forest Department completed the largest target of 15.50 crore saplings.
• Home Minister Amit Shah launched a plantation drive in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with over 1.25 crore saplings planted across his Lok Sabha constituency.
• Gandhinagar’s green cover target is 20% by 2029.
• Madhya Pradesh launched a plantation drive in Indore, targeting 21 lakh saplings and 51,000 rainwater harvesting units.
• India has set a target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070.

GS Mapping

GS3: Environment, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Sustainable Development; GS2: Governance and Public Participation

News Item

Five Indian students won gold medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) 2026, held in Bucaramanga, Colombia, from 4 to 12 July 2026. With this performance, India secured joint first position along with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Prelims Facts

• India won five gold medals at the 56th International Physics Olympiad 2026.
• The Olympiad was held in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
• It was held from 4 to 12 July 2026.
• Indian gold medallists were Kanishk Jain, Riddhesh Anant Bendale, Rishit Garg, Shresth Suraiya and Svarit Joshi.
• The students came from Pune, Indore, New Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
• India secured joint first position with Russia, China, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Taiwan.
• The competition saw participation of 381 students from 87 countries.
• India’s Olympiad programme is led by HBCSE, a National Centre of TIFR.
• Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, congratulated the winners.

GS Mapping

GS2: Education, Human Resource Development; GS3: Science and Technology, Scientific Temper

News Item

President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the demise of legendary playback singer S. Janaki Amma, calling her a musical icon whose extraordinary singing enthralled generations. Her career spanned more than six decades, during which she recorded thousands of songs in nearly 20 Indian languages, including Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali.

Prelims Facts

• President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the demise of S. Janaki Amma.
• She described S. Janaki Amma as a musical icon.
• S. Janaki Amma’s career spanned more than six decades.
• She recorded thousands of songs in nearly 20 Indian languages.
• Languages mentioned include Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali.
• S. Janaki Amma was popularly known as Janaki Amma and Nightingale of South India.
• Her full name was Sistla Janaki.
• She was born on 23 April 1938 at Pallapatla, in present-day Andhra Pradesh.
• She began her playback singing career in 1957.
• She won four National Film Awards.
• She refused the Padma Bhushan in 2013, stating that the recognition came too late.
• Her music is remembered for versatility, voice modulation and emotional expression across languages.

GS Mapping

GS1: Indian Culture, Music, Cinema; GS2: Awards and Honours, Personalities in News

News Item

Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away at the age of 74. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, describing him as a visionary leader who transformed Qatar into a prosperous and globally respected nation, and remembered him as a true friend of India.

Prelims Facts

• Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died at the age of 74.
• He ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013.
• He voluntarily handed over power to his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in 2013.
• Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani is the current Amir of Qatar.
• PM Narendra Modi described Sheikh Hamad as a visionary leader and a true friend of India.
• Sheikh Hamad is credited with transforming Qatar into a global player in energy, diplomacy, media and investment.
• Under his rule, Qatar emerged as a major LNG powerhouse.
• Al Jazeera news network was launched in 1996 during his rule.
• Qatar secured the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup during his leadership period.
• Qatar expanded its international investments through institutions such as the Qatar Investment Authority.
• India declared one-day national mourning as a mark of respect for the Father Amir of Qatar.
• The National Flag was to be flown at half-mast in India on buildings where it is regularly flown.

GS Mapping

GS2: India-Qatar Relations, Indian Diaspora in Gulf, International Relations; GS3: Energy Security, Global Investment and Sports Diplomacy

News Item

A report highlighted how global shipping disruptions have exposed India’s dependence on foreign container ships and limited domestic container capacity. The first outcome of the ₹10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme announced in Union Budget 2026-27 came on 3 July 2026, when an India-made EXIM container built by DCM Shriram Group was unveiled at Dadri for Maersk, which placed a follow-on order for another 1,000 containers.

Background

India’s exporters are facing container shortages, fewer mother vessel calls, rising freight rates and route disruptions caused by conflicts and chokepoint tensions. Coffee exporters are facing delays because ships are moving around the Cape of Good Hope instead of the Red Sea-Suez route, adding sailing time and distance. Rice exports to Iran are affected because of uncertainties around the Strait of Hormuz. Freight costs on some routes have risen sharply, while exporters still face pressure to honour old contracts.

Prelims Facts

• A ₹10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme was announced in Union Budget 2026-27.
• Its first outcome came on 3 July 2026 with an India-made EXIM container built by DCM Shriram Group.
• The container was unveiled at Dadri for Maersk.
• Maersk placed a follow-on order for another 1,000 containers.
• India manufactured around 24,000 TEUs in FY24.
• China’s container output runs into several million TEUs annually.
• Foreign shipping lines carry around 90-95% of India’s cargo, increasing vulnerability during global disruptions.
• Indian-made containers cost roughly 20% more than Chinese containers due to logistics and location disadvantages.
• Manufacturing containers closer to ports such as Dadri can reduce transport cost disadvantages.
• Coffee exporters are affected as ships avoid the Red Sea-Suez route and move around the Cape of Good Hope.
• Rice exports to Iran are affected by uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.
• Freight from Kochi to Jebel Ali reportedly rose from around $1,000-$1,500 to nearly $7,000.
• Nhava Sheva has become a major hub for larger container ships.
• Kochi, Thoothukudi, Vizhinjam, Kandla, Mumbai, Dadri, Dubai, Khor Fakkan, Sohar and Jebel Ali came into news in the context of container logistics.
• An MoU was signed to establish Bharat Container Shipping Line, India’s first national container carrier.
• Institutions linked to this initiative include Shipping Corporation of India, Container Corporation of India, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Tuticorin and Chennai port authorities.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• India’s container vulnerability is not only a logistics issue but also a strategic trade-security problem. Global shocks such as COVID-19, the Suez Canal blockage, the Ukraine war, Red Sea attacks and Strait of Hormuz tensions show that exporters suffer whenever global shipping lines redeploy vessels to more profitable routes. India needs a three-part response: increase domestic container manufacturing, build Indian shipping capacity through Bharat Container Shipping Line, and upgrade port connectivity so that exporters from southern and western India do not face excessive freight costs. However, domestic manufacturing must overcome the 20% cost gap, and a national carrier will need vessels, trained personnel, route planning and global commercial credibility.

GS Mapping

GS3: Infrastructure, Ports, Logistics, Manufacturing, Export Competitiveness, Supply Chain Resilience; GS2: Global Trade, Geopolitical Chokepoints, International Shipping

News Item

A team of scientists has identified and genetically characterised Parrot Bornavirus-4 (PaBV-4) in India for the first time. The virus was found among captive psittacine birds and is linked to Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD), a largely fatal viral disease affecting the digestive and nervous systems of birds.

Prelims Facts

• PaBV-4 has been identified and genetically characterised in India for the first time.
• The study was led by Pankaj Deka and Sangeeta Das of the Assam Veterinary and Fisheries University, Guwahati.
• The study was published in Scientific Reports.
• Researchers tested 83 psittacine birds from 13 species in aviaries in Assam, Karnataka and West Bengal.
• The study period was 2020-2024.
• Bird species included African grey parrot, ochre-marked parakeet, yellow-collared macaw, eastern rosella, blue-crowned hanging parrot, rainbow lorikeet and scarlet-chested parrot.
• The birds were divided into three groups: birds with clinical signs of PDD, healthy cage mates of suspected cases and birds that had died of suspected PDD.
• Infection was detected in almost 88% of dead birds and 19% of apparently healthy cage mates.
• Researchers found no patterns linking genetic clusters to host species, geography or time.
• The findings highlight risks to conservation programmes based on breeding captive birds.

GS Mapping

GS3: Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Animal Health, Biodiversity Conservation

News Item

A team led by Dr. Indrakshi Raychowdhury of BITS Pilani, working with IBM Quantum, designed a quantum algorithm that simulated the behaviour of subatomic particles on 120 qubits of an IBM processor. The result has been marked “active” by the Quantum Advantage Tracker, making it the first such verified active quantum-advantage result from an Indian laboratory.

Background

Quantum computers are not efficient for every task; even simple arithmetic can be difficult. Their advantage lies in simulating complex quantum systems where particles influence one another. The BITS-led team modelled how quarks and gluons behave under the strong nuclear force, a problem linked to high-energy physics. The quantum calculation reportedly took about 20 seconds, while the corresponding classical computation took about two hours.

Prelims Facts

• The quantum algorithm was designed by a team led by Dr. Indrakshi Raychowdhury of BITS Pilani.
• The team worked with IBM Quantum.
• The algorithm simulated subatomic particle behaviour on 120 qubits of an IBM processor.
• The quantum calculation took about 20 seconds, compared with about two hours on a classical computer.
• The result was marked “active” by the Quantum Advantage Tracker.
• This is the first active quantum-advantage result from an Indian laboratory.
• The work is linked to simulating quarks and gluons governed by the strong nuclear force.
• The team used a simplified model of the strong force and reduced mathematical redundancy to scale the simulation.
• A task earlier run by others on at most 27 qubits was pushed to 120 qubits.
• The Quantum Advantage Tracker was launched in November 2025 by IBM with the Flatiron Institute, BlueQubit, Algorithmiq and academic reviewers.
• The article mentions CERN, Switzerland, in the context of high-energy physics and future particle simulations.
• India’s National Quantum Mission was approved in 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003 crore.
• The Mission funds quantum algorithms and a computing hub in Bengaluru.
• India currently does not have high-end quantum hardware of its own and researchers often depend on machines abroad.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• The BITS-IBM result is a significant step for India’s quantum ecosystem because it focuses on algorithms rather than only hardware. Quantum hardware is expensive and concentrated in a few countries, but algorithmic expertise allows Indian scientists to use global machines and still produce frontier research. The case also shows that practical quantum advantage may first emerge in areas such as high-energy physics, where nature itself behaves quantum mechanically. For India, the challenge is to move from isolated breakthroughs to an integrated ecosystem: strong algorithms, domestic hardware, skilled manpower, research funding, international collaboration and industry use-cases. The National Quantum Mission must therefore treat software, algorithms and talent as seriously as hardware development.

GS Mapping

GS3: Science and Technology, Quantum Computing, Emerging Technologies, National Quantum Mission, Innovation; GS2: International Scientific Collaboration

News Item

A science explainer highlighted the role of the essential amino acid leucine in protecting mitochondria, the cell organelles that produce energy. A study using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans found that leucine helps prevent premature degradation of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins, thereby supporting normal mitochondrial function and cellular energy production.

Prelims Facts

• Leucine is an essential amino acid.
• It belongs to the family of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
• BCAAs include leucine, isoleucine and valine.
• Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from diet.
• Mitochondria produce ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
• The outer mitochondrial membrane is important for normal mitochondrial function.
• Researchers from the University of Cologne Centre for Excellence Cluster on Aging and Aging-Associated Diseases, Germany, used Caenorhabditis elegans as the model organism.
• The study was published in Nature Cell Biology on 27 November 2025.
• The study found that leucine acts as a protective shield for outer mitochondrial membrane proteins.
• Leucine interacts with a protein called SEL1L, which is involved in recognising and removing damaged or misfolded proteins.
• Excessive degradation of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins can lead to metabolic and age-related diseases.

GS Mapping

GS3: Science and Technology, Biotechnology, Human Physiology, Health Research

News Item

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the historic Prambanan Temple near Yogyakarta, Indonesia, along with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. The visit brought attention to how Hinduism in Indonesia adapted itself to the country’s legal requirement of monotheism by presenting the Trimurti tradition as the manifestation of one supreme divine principle.

Background

Indonesia’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom, but the modern Indonesian state is based on Pancasila, whose first principle is belief in one supreme God. This created a challenge for Indonesian Hinduism because the state’s early criteria for recognising a religion required monotheism, a recognised holy scripture and a prophet. Hinduism, especially in Bali, responded by organising itself through institutions such as Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) and by presenting Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa as the single supreme deity. Hinduism received official recognition in Indonesia in 1962, and six religions were later formalised as recognised agama in 1965.

Prelims Facts

• Prambanan Temple is located near Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
• It is a 9th-century Hindu temple complex.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• It is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia.
• The temple complex is associated with the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
• PM Narendra Modi visited Prambanan Temple with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
• Indonesia’s state philosophy is Pancasila.
• The first principle of Pancasila is belief in one supreme God.
• Hinduism received official recognition in Indonesia in 1962.
• Six recognised religions were formalised as agama in 1965.
• Indonesia recognises Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
• Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) was founded in Bali in 1959.
• Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa is the supreme divine concept in Indonesian Hinduism.
• In Indonesia, religious identity is linked to civil documents and public life, including national identity cards, marriage registration, birth certificates and school religious education.

Mains Focus & Analysis

• The Indonesian case shows that plural religious traditions often adapt to the political language of the state. Hinduism in Indonesia could not receive recognition merely as a diverse set of rituals and local traditions; it had to present a unified monotheistic structure. Reformers achieved this by placing Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa at the centre while allowing local deities, ancestor worship, rituals and funerary practices to continue. This reflects a broader lesson: cultural survival is not always about rigid preservation; sometimes it depends on creative reinterpretation. For India-Indonesia relations, Prambanan strengthens civilisational diplomacy and shows the deep historical spread of Indic traditions in Southeast Asia.

GS Mapping

GS1: Indian Culture, Southeast Asian Heritage, Temple Architecture, Religious Traditions; GS2: India-Indonesia Relations, Constitutional Treatment of Religion, Religious Freedom

News Item

Czech tennis player Linda Noskova defeated fellow Czech player Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the Wimbledon 2026 women’s singles final to win her first Grand Slam title. The 21-year-old ninth seed became the youngest Wimbledon women’s champion since 2011.

Prelims Facts

• Linda Noskova won the Wimbledon 2026 women’s singles title.
• She defeated Karolina Muchova 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in the final.
• Both finalists were from the Czech Republic.
• Noskova was the ninth seed.
• She was 21 years old at the time of the win.
• She became the youngest Wimbledon women’s champion since 2011.
• This was Noskova’s first Grand Slam title.
• Karolina Muchova saved five championship points and fought back from a set and a break down before losing in the decider.
• Britain’s Henry Patten and Finland’s Harri Heliovaara won doubles success earlier.
• Great Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid also recorded doubles success.

GS Mapping

GS2: Sports Governance and International Events; GS1: Personalities in News

News Item

Observed globally on July 11, World Population Day highlights the urgency of addressing population-related challenges. The 2026 observance focuses on empowering the youth to ensure sustainable development and a dignified future for all.

Background

The event traces its origin to the "Day of Five Billion" on July 11, 1987, when the global population reached that milestone. Recognizing the need for focused attention on population dynamics, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Governing Council established the day in 1989. It is now primarily led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The day serves as a platform to discuss the nexus between population growth, reproductive health, environmental sustainability, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Prelims Facts

• World Population Day: Observed annually on July 11.
• Theme 2026: "Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future."
• Origin: Inspired by the "Day of Five Billion" (July 11, 1987).
• Established by: UNDP Governing Council in 1989.
• Lead Agency: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

GS Mapping

GS2: Social Issues (Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources)

News Item

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the tragic boat accident involving Indian nationals near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. The Prime Minister said that the Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam are providing all possible assistance and are in close contact with Vietnamese authorities.

Prelims Facts

• The boat accident occurred near Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam.
• The accident involved Indian nationals.
• Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended condolences to the bereaved families.
• The Indian Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam are providing assistance.
• Indian officials are in close contact with Vietnamese authorities.
• Reports stated that Indian diplomatic missions set up control rooms to assist affected families.

GS Mapping

GS2: Indian Diaspora, Consular Diplomacy, India-Vietnam Relations; GS3: Disaster Response and Safety

News Item

The governing body of National CAMPA approved four new conservation projects for river dolphins, snow leopards, wild water buffalo and Indian rhinoceroses. The new scheme has an initial corpus of ₹3,000 crore over five years.

Prelims Facts

• The governing body of National CAMPA approved four new conservation projects.
• The species covered are river dolphins, snow leopards, wild water buffalo and Indian rhinoceroses.
• The new scheme has an initial corpus of ₹3,000 crore over five years.
• The river dolphin project includes studies on conservation and recovery action plan.
• Project Snow Leopard Phase-II includes the second cycle of population estimation.
• A conservation action plan has been approved for the Indian Rhinoceros.
• A pan-India conservation approach has been approved for the wild water buffalo.

GS Mapping

GS3: Biodiversity Conservation, Wildlife Protection, Environment Governance

News Item

Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL) has entered into a long-term agreement with French clean-technology company Dioxcycle to develop and scale low-carbon chemical production in India. The initiative will begin with a pilot facility at an Adani Group site to produce formic acid using captured carbon dioxide and renewable electricity.

Prelims Facts

• Adani Enterprises Ltd. (AEL) has signed a long-term agreement with Dioxcycle.
• Dioxcycle is a French clean-technology company specialising in chemical manufacturing.
• The project aims to develop and scale low-carbon chemical production in India.
• The first pilot facility will be set up at an Adani Group site.
• The pilot will produce formic acid using captured carbon dioxide and renewable electricity.
• Formic acid and its derivatives are used in textiles, agriculture and manufacturing.
• The tie-up combines Dioxcycle’s electrochemical manufacturing technology with Adani Group’s clean-energy and infrastructure capabilities.

GS Mapping

GS3: Economy, Industrial Development, Clean Technology, Climate Change Mitigation