Category: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL)

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change chaired the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) in Bhopal. During the meeting, the Standing Committee examined several proposals related to wildlife conservation and development projects situated in and around Protected Areas, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, and Eco-Sensitive Zones. The proposals were evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Read More …

Ichhamati River and Jalangi River

The Government of West Bengal has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German federal enterprise Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG) to undertake integrated development and restoration of the Ichhamati and Jalangi river basins. The initiative aims to address ecological degradation and strengthen sustainable water management in the upper Ganga delta region of the state. Strategic Importance of the River Systems Read More …

Operation Roaring Lion and Epic Fury

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, following the collapse of diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named the operation “Roaring Lion,” while US President Donald Trump called the American component “Epic Fury.” Targets and Scale of the Attack According to officials, the strikes differed significantly from Operation Read More …

UN Body Approves First Carbon Credits Under Paris Agreement Market

A United Nations body has approved the first carbon credits to be issued under the UN carbon market created by the Paris Agreement, marking a major step in implementing global climate cooperation mechanisms. The approved activity is a clean-cooking project in Myanmar, which distributes efficient cookstoves to reduce household air pollution and lessen pressure on forests. Project Details The project had earlier received provisional issuance under the Clean Development Mechanism Read More …

India–EU Agree on MFN Status Under Upcoming Trade Pact

India and the European Union have agreed to grant each other Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status for five years after their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) comes into force. This means neither side can offer more favourable tariff terms to other trading partners during this period. On January 27, the two sides announced that negotiations for the FTA had concluded. The pact—described as the “mother of all deals”—is expected to Read More …

Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted three successive flight-trials of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. These tests were carried out to revalidate the capability of VSHORADS missile system in neutralising high-speed threats flying at varying speed, range, and altitude. VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Center Read More …

Lake Mai-Ndombe and Lake Tumba

Scientists have found that two major lakes in the Democratic Republic of Congo are releasing carbon that has been locked away for thousands of years in surrounding peatlands—raising concerns about future climate stability. The findings, published in Nature Geoscience by researchers from ETH Zurich, show that up to 40% of carbon dioxide emissions from Lake Mai-Ndombe and Lake Tumba come from ancient peat deposits rather than recent plant matter. Why Read More …

What is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)?

Researchers may be a step closer to developing a vaccine against the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a widespread virus associated with infectious mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis, certain cancers, and other serious illnesses. The findings, published in Cell Reports Medicine, demonstrate the successful testing of laboratory-developed antibodies in mice. About Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) EBV-associated lymphomas are particularly dangerous for immunosuppressed individuals, including organ transplant recipients. Key Scientific Findings Using mice engineered to carry Read More …

India projects 7.6% GDP growth for FY26, nominal growth at 8.6%

India’s real GDP is projected to grow at 7.6 per cent in the current financial year 2025–26, according to estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Nominal GDP growth, which accounts for inflation, is expected to expand by 8.6 per cent. Growth Momentum Continues The Indian economy has shown steady performance in recent years: Earlier, official data recorded growth of 8.7% in 2021–22 and 7.2% in Read More …

Druzhba Pipeline

The stoppage of the final Russian oil supplies to Europe through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline has sparked fresh geopolitical tensions, blocking new EU sanctions against Russia and delaying critical funding for Ukraine. About the Druzhba Pipeline The pipeline historically supplied oil from West Siberia to major industrial regions across countries including Belarus, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Ukraine. Global Significance At its peak capacity, the Druzhba pipeline transported Read More …

Assam CM launches Mission Basundhara 3.0

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, on Friday launched the distribution of land pattas to over one lakh indigenous landless families and public institutions under Mission Basundhara 3.0, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to resolving long-pending land-related grievances. The Chief Minister inaugurated the state-level distribution programme at Deuri Beel in Dhemaji district, where beneficiaries received digital land pattas and allotment letters. Land Settlement in Unsurveyed Villages During the event, Read More …

Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0 (CSGC 2.0)

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the winners of the Cyber Security Grand Challenge 2.0 (CSGC 2.0), a flagship initiative conducted in collaboration with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI). The programme aims to strengthen India’s cyber security ecosystem by fostering innovation and building expertise in critical technology domains. ₹6.85 Crore Prize Pool to Boost Innovation With a combined prize pool of ₹6.85 crore, CSGC Read More …

Centre launches Bank Dashboard, Manual to reduce risk in handling Govt funds

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) on 27 February unveiled two major initiatives — the Government Bank Dashboard and the Government Bank Manual — aimed at enhancing governance, transparency, and operational efficiency in banks handling government transactions. The CGA functions under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. Government Bank Manual The Government Bank Manual provides a comprehensive and standardised framework for banks conducting government business. It clearly lays down: Read More …

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq & Durand Line

Pakistan launched a major military offensive named Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against positions held by the Afghan Taliban along the disputed Durand Line. This marks a sharp escalation in tensions between the two neighbours. Background of Rising Tensions Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been deteriorating for months: The Core Issue: Durand Line Dispute The conflict is rooted in the long-standing dispute over the Durand Line, a 2,611-km border drawn in Read More …