Local Currency Oil Trade India • Plan to pay for oil in local currencies (₹/dirham)• Cuts conversion cost (~5–6%)• May cover large share of imports (~80%)• Trigger: high oil prices + weak rupee• Risk: possible U.S. pushback
UDAN scheme India revamped with ₹28,850 crore plan till 2036
Context: UDAN scheme India Cabinet approves revamped UDAN scheme (₹28,850 crore, 2026–2036) to strengthen regional air connectivity and ensure viability of routes in underserved areas. UDAN Scheme • Launched: 2016 | Ministry: Civil Aviation• Aim: Affordable air travel + regional connectivity• Targets unserved/underserved airports to democratise flying Modified UDAN — What’s New • 10-year framework (2026–36)• Shift from expansion → sustainability & viability of routes• Stronger financial + infrastructure support Key Points • 100 new airports (challenge-based, with States)• 120 destinations | 4 crore passengers target• 200 helipads + water aerodromes (remote/hilly regions)• VGF support for airlines on non-viable routes• Indigenous aircraft push (HAL Dhruv, Dornier)• Focus on last-mile connectivity + emergency access
Retail Inflation Target at 4% Extended Till 2031 by Government
Context: Retail Inflation Target Government has asked the Reserve Bank of India to continue the inflation targeting framework with 4% inflation (2–6% band) for 2026–2031, extending the system started in 2016. Key Points India follows flexible inflation targeting → Government sets target → Reserve Bank of India maintains inflation → continuity till 2031 ensures stability. Monetary Policy • Reserve Bank of India controls inflation and interest rates Monetary Policy Committee • Decides repo rate• 6 members → 3 Reserve Bank of India + 3 Government• Statutory body → Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (amended 2016)• Based on Urjit Patel Committee (2014)
Nationally Determined Contribution Updated with 60% Clean Energy Goal by 2035
Context: Nationally Determined Contribution India is updating its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, raising its clean energy and emission targets to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Earlier targets (by 2030) • 50% installed power capacity from non-fossil sources• 45% reduction in emission intensity (from 2005 levels)• Carbon sink → 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent New proposed targets (by 2035) • 60% non-fossil power capacity• 47% reduction in emission intensity• Carbon sink → 3.5–4 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent → Increase across all three pillars NDC • Full form → Nationally Determined Contribution• Country’s own climate targets (energy, emissions, carbon sink)• Comes from Paris Agreement (2015) under UNFCCC• Updated every 5 years• Not legally binding, but internationally accountable
Cauvery River May Face Reduced Flow Till 2050 Due to Climate Change
Context: Cauvery River Study (IIT Gandhinagar) shows Cauvery basin may face lower river flows till 2050, despite overall increase in rainfall due to climate change. Key Points Cauvery is a rain-fed peninsular river, so increased rainfall does not automatically increase flow → much of the water is lost as evaporation, runoff or used in the basin itself → past data already shows ~28% decline, and future may see ~3.5% more decline → unlike Himalayan rivers, Cauvery lacks glacier support → hence overall usable flow reduces. Cauvery River Origin → Talakaveri (Brahmagiri Hills, Western Ghats, Kodagu, Karnataka) → flows to Bay of Bengal Tributaries → Kabini, Bhavani, Amaravati, Hemavati Core Issue Already a Karnataka–Tamil Nadu dispute river → declining flow will increase conflict and water stress
Vande Mataram Advisory Not Mandatory, Says Supreme Court
Context: Vande Mataram Advisory Supreme Court held that the advisory on Vande Mataram is not compulsory, as the National Song does not have the same constitutional or legal status as the National Anthem. Key Points • Advisory only gives protocol, not mandatory• No penalty for not singing• Singing depends on individual choice/conscience• Article 51A(a) → duty to respect National Anthem only• National Song not part of Fundamental Duties• Legal protection exists only for Anthem under Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971• Hence, no legal compulsion for Vande Mataram• Court said patriotism cannot be forced, petition premature
Microplastic Pollution in Chennai Poses High Ecological Risk
Context: Microplastic Pollution Study on Chennai coast shows microplastics are present in low quantity but still pose high ecological risk, especially to marine life and humans. What is microplastic • Very small plastic particles (<5 mm)• Formed from breakdown of larger plastics or released from synthetic fibres, fishing nets, clothes Key Points • Chennai beaches have low abundance but high risk• Dominant type → nylon fibres (more harmful)• Marine organisms ingest microplastics → digestive damage• Plastics carry toxins, bacteria → enter food chain• Affect hormonal & immune systems in humans• Sources → fishing gear, synthetic clothes, sewage, tourism• Can alter seabed structure and marine ecosystems• Problem still manageable → needs waste management + awareness
Strait of Hormuz discussed in Trump Modi call amid tensions
Context: Strait of Hormuz Donald Trump–Narendra Modi discussion on West Asia conflict focusing on peace and stability. Key Points • India supports de-escalation and peace• Strait of Hormuz critical for global oil supply• Ensuring open, secure and accessible route is essential
Scheduled Caste status limited to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists: Supreme Court
Context: Scheduled Caste status Supreme Court said Scheduled Caste status is available only to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists; if a person converts to any other religion, Scheduled Caste status ends from that point. Key points From where does this power come? • The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 is issued under Article 341 of the Constitution.• Article 341(1): President specifies which castes are Scheduled Castes.• Article 341(2): Parliament can later include or exclude groups from that list.
BioPharma SHAKTI Mission to boost biologics and non-animal testing
Context In the Budget 2025–26, the government introduced BioPharma SHAKTI Mission to boost domestic production of biologics and biosimilars and promote human-based (non-animal) testing methods, as animal models often fail to predict human response. Key understanding Challenges• High cost and infrastructure needs• Regulatory clarity still evolving• Patent delays affect biosimilar entry
