Category: National and International Current Affairs

Maharaja Agrasen

History & culture

Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Maharaja Agrasen on his birth anniversary.

About

• Association: Ancient Indian king traditionally associated with Agroha, present-day Haryana.
• Lineage: Traditionally linked to the Suryavansha (Solar dynasty).
• Founder: Regarded in community traditions as the founder of Agroha, associated with the Agrawal community.
• Beliefs: Associated with Goddess Lakshmi and ideals of ethical trade, prosperity and social responsibility.
• Jayanti: Observed according to the Hindu lunar calendar, generally in September or October.
• Historical Evidence: His life and chronology are based largely on traditional accounts; contemporary evidence establishing his exact historical period is limited.
• Important Site: Agroha Dham, Haryana, a religious and cultural centre associated with Maharaja Agrasen and Goddess Mahalakshmi.

India’s Anti-Dumping Probe into Penicillin G Imports

Economy

Context

• India has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Penicillin G.

Penicillin G 

• Type: Beta-lactam antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.

• Significance: Used as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and Key Starting Material (KSM) in medicine manufacturing.

• Uses: Treatment of infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, diphtheria and certain dental infections.

Anti-Dumping Duty — UPSC

• Meaning: Additional customs duty imposed on imports sold below their normal value when dumping causes or threatens material injury to domestic industry.

• Objective: Protect domestic industries against unfair price competition, not to prohibit imports.

• DGTR: Directorate General of Trade Remedies, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, investigates dumping and recommends duties.

• Imposition:

  The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, decides whether to impose the duty.

Garba Dance

History & Culture

Context

• The Navratri festival features traditional outdoor Garba dances dedicated to Goddess Ambe Maa.

About Garba

• Origin: Traditional folk dance of Gujarat, performed during the nine-day Navratri festival.
• Religious Significance: Dedicated to Goddess Ambe Maa/ Shakti; symbolises devotion, fertility, womanhood and the cycle of life.
• Performance: Dancers move in circles around a lamp or an image of the Goddess, accompanied by rhythmic music, singing and clapping.
• Etymology: Derived from the Sanskrit word Garbha (womb), symbolising life and creation.
• Cultural Influence: Modern Garba has been influenced by Dandiya Raas.
• UNESCO Recognition: Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023.
• Forms: Mataji Garba, Krishna Garba and Lok Garba.

Lakshadweep Becomes a Fully Literate Union Territory

Polity

Context

• Lakshadweep has achieved full literacy status under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

ULLAS Scheme 

• Full Name: Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (2022–2027), aligned with NEP 2020.

• Target Group: Non-literate adults aged 15 years and above.

• Five Components:

  1. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

  2. Critical Life Skills

  3. Basic Education

  4. Vocational Skills

  5. Continuing Education

• Objective: Build a Jan-Jan Saakshar India through volunteerism and Kartavya Bodh (sense of duty).

Literacy in India

• Census Definition: A person aged 7 years or above who can read and write with understanding in any language.

• Expanded Definition: Includes reading, writing and numeracy with comprehension, along with digital and financial literacy and other critical life skills.

• Full Literacy:

  A State/UT is considered fully literate upon achieving a literacy rate of 95% or above.

INS Mangrol

Defence

Context

• The Indian Navy commissioned the ‘Mangrol’, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.

INS Mangrol — UPSC

• Type: Third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) commissioned into the Indian Navy.

• Name: Named after Mangrol, a coastal town and fishing harbour in Gujarat; also honours the erstwhile INS Mangrol, a minesweeper decommissioned in 2004.

• Indigenous Content: Over 80%, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

• Capabilities:

  • Anti-Submarine Warfare in coastal waters.

  • Underwater surveillance and mine warfare.

  • Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).

• Equipment: Torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars and sonars.

• Propulsion: Waterjets.

• Significance:

  Strengthens coastal defence and indigenous naval shipbuilding.

Sarus Cranes

Environment

News – 

• The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has announced a nationwide survey to estimate the population of Sarus Cranes.

Sarus crane

• • It is the tallest flying bird in the world standing 152-156 cm tall with a wingspan of 240cm. 
  • Nature:  It is a social creature, found mostly in pairs or small groups of three or four. 
  • It is Known to mate for life with a single partner, its breeding season coincides with heavy rainfall in monsoon.
  • Habitat and Distribution: The Sarus habitat is outside protected areas, in natural wetlands with low water depth, marshy and fallow areas and agricultural fields.
  • The Sarus crane has three disjunct populations in the Indian sub-continent, south-east Asia and northern Australia.
  • In the Indian subcontinent, it is found in northern and central India, Terai Nepal and Pakistan. 
  • It was once a common site in the paddy fields of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Assam.
  • But now it is mainly concentrated in Uttar Pradesh.
  • Ecological Role  : They play a vital role in ecological balance by controlling the population of harmful insects. Sarus is omnivorous, feeding on fish and insects, as well as roots and plants.
• Protection status : Listed in Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and as Vulnerable on IUCN Red List

Nobel Prize in Economics Sciences

Indian Economy

Context

• The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2026.

Nobel Prize in Economics

• Official Name: Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
• Prize Money: 12 million Swedish kronor, shared equally by the laureates.
• Recognition: Work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.

Key Contributions

• Robert E. Hall: Studied household consumption and the role of current disposable income, particularly for hand-to-mouth households whose spending is constrained by current income.
• Michael Woodford: Explained how firms’ price-setting decisions and expectations influence inflation; highlighted the role of transparent and credible monetary policy.

Macroeconomic Stabilisation

• Meaning: Fiscal and monetary measures used to reduce fluctuations in economic growth, output, inflation and unemployment.
• During a slowdown: Lower interest rates, tax relief and increased public expenditure can stimulate demand.
• During overheating: Higher interest rates and tighter fiscal policies can help control inflation.

Five Years of PM GatiShakti

Government Scheme

Context

• PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) has completed five years.

PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP)

• Launched: 13 October 2021.
• Nodal Department: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Objective: Integrate multimodal infrastructure planning, improve last-mile connectivity and reduce logistics costs and travel time.

Key Features

• Seven Infrastructure Engines: Roads, Railways, Ports, Waterways, Airports, Mass Transport and Logistics Infrastructure.
• Integrated Planning: Integrates infrastructure schemes such as Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways and UDAN.
• Whole-of-Government Approach: Covers 58 Central Ministries/Departments and all 36 States and Union Territories.
• GIS-Based Platform: Integrates geospatial and infrastructure data for coordinated planning and decision-making.
• Public Platform: Provides access to approved datasets for connectivity mapping, site suitability and project planning.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV)

• Established: 2022; a specialised university focused on transport and logistics.
• Role: Provides education, training and research to support PM GatiShakti and the National Logistics Policy, 2022.
• Training: As of July 2026, had trained over 2.4 lakh officers through PM GatiShakti-related courses.

Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

Economy

Context

• India is the world’s largest producer of pulses, yet it remains a major importer.

Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses

• The Mission was launched for 2025–26 to 2030–31 with a budgetary allocation of ₹11,440 crore.
• Objective – It aims to make India self-sufficient in pulses production, reducing dependence on imports in light of rising domestic demand.
• It aims to ensure 100 percent procurement of Tur, Urad, and Masoor at MSP for four years.

Additional Information- Pulses Production and Consumption in India

• Global Leader: India is the largest global producer (25%), consumer (27%), & importer (14%) of pulses.
• Seasonal Production: Pulses are grown in Kharif and Rabi seasons

• Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are the top three pulses producing states in the country.

Government Initiatives for Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Pulse Production

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM-Pulses): Boosts area, production, and productivity through HYV seeds, improved agronomy, and demonstrations.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Pulses: Regularly revised MSPs (E.g., Tur ₹7000/qtl in 2023-24) ensure price security and encourage pulse cultivation.
• Seed Hub Program by ICAR-IIPR: Expands availability of certified, short-duration, and high-yielding pulse seeds at the grassroots level.
• PM-AASHA Scheme: Ensures MSP realisation via Price Deficiency Payment (PDP) and targeted procurement by private and public agencies.
• Climate-Resilient Varieties Development (ICAR): Develops varieties resistant to drought, pests, and diseases suited to changing climates.
• e-NAM Integration for Pulses: Enhances market access, reduces middlemen, and enables transparent price discovery through online pulse trading.

World’s First Nuclear Clock

Science and Technology

Context

• Scientists in Vienna and Beijing have independently developed the world’s first two operating nuclear clocks.

Nuclear Clock

• Definition: A precision timekeeping device that measures time using energy transitions within an atomic nucleus.
• Working Principle: Uses lasers to induce transitions between nuclear energy levels in thorium-229.
• Key Feature: Thorium-229 has a low-energy nuclear transition that can be stimulated using laser light.
• Materials: Thorium-229 embedded in calcium fluoride crystals has been used in experimental research.
• Clarification: It does not use nuclear fission or fusion.

Nuclear Clock vs Atomic Clock

• Nuclear Clock: Uses energy transitions within the atomic nucleus.
• Atomic Clock: Uses energy transitions involving electrons in an atom.
• Reference: The definition of the SI second is based on a specific transition in the caesium-133 atom.
• Potential Advantage: Nuclear transitions may be less sensitive to certain external disturbances, potentially enabling greater precision and stability.

Potential Applications

• Navigation: Improve GPS positioning through more precise timing.
• Communication: Enhance time synchronisation in mobile networks and fibre-optic systems.
• Financial Networks: Improve timestamp accuracy and transaction sequencing.
• Fundamental Physics: Help investigate ultralight dark matter and test whether fundamental constants vary over time.

Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan

Personality in News

Context

• The Prime Minister has remembered Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary.

Jayaprakash Narayan (1902–1979) 

• Popular Name: Lok Nayak (“People’s Leader”).
• Freedom Struggle: Participated in the Quit India Movement (1942) and escaped from Hazaribagh Jail.
• Congress Socialist Party: Prominent founder in 1934.
• Bhoodan Movement: Associated with Vinoba Bhave’s movement for voluntary land donation.
• Total Revolution (1974): Called for political, social and economic reforms; launched at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, on 5 June 1974.
• Key Ideas: Decentralisation, participatory democracy, anti-corruption and non-violent social change.
• Awards: Ramon Magsaysay Award (1965); Bharat Ratna posthumously (1998).

Kulsi River

Geography

Context

• Villagers living along the Kulsi River in Assam and Meghalaya are protesting for a proposed 55-MW hydropower-cum-irrigation project citing concerns over displacement, indigenous rights and ecological damage.

Kulsi River 

• Tributary: Brahmaputra River.
• Origin: West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya; upper course is known as the Khir River.
• Course: Flows through Meghalaya and Assam’s Kamrup district.
• Confluence: Joins the Brahmaputra near Nagarbera, Assam.
• Ecological Significance: Habitat of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica).
• Fact: The Gangetic river dolphin was declared India’s National Aquatic Animal in 2009.

WHO Prequalifies HPV vaccine CERVAVAC

Health

Context

• The Serum Institute of India’s indigenously developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, CERVAVAC, has received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO).

CERVAVAC 

• Significance: India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine; gender-neutral.

• Targets: HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.

• Eligibility: Licensed in India for girls and boys aged 9–26 years.

• Global Significance: WHO prequalification enables procurement by UN agencies for HPV immunisation programmes.

Cervical Cancer

• Definition: Cancer originating in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus connecting it to the vagina.

• Cause: Nearly 99% of cases are linked to high-risk HPV infection, mainly transmitted through sexual contact.

• Global Burden: Approximately 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths worldwide in 2020.

• Prevention: HPV vaccination, screening and treatment of precancerous lesions.

• India: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer.

HPV Vaccination in India

• National Programme: Launched on 28 February 2026, targeting approximately 1.2 crore girls aged 14 years.

• Vaccines Available: Indigenous CERVAVAC; Gardasil 9 and Cervarix are also available in the private market.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

Health

News – 

• A recent analysis by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), under the WHO, highlighted that EBV is among the most widespread of human viruses.

Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) — UPSC

• Type: Double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the herpesvirus family; also called Human Herpesvirus 4 (HHV-4).
• Discovery: Identified in 1964 by Anthony Epstein, Yvonne Barr and Bert Achong in Burkitt lymphoma cells; the first human virus linked to cancer.
• Transmission: Primarily through saliva, hence called the “kissing disease”; also transmitted through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
• Prevalence: Infects over 90% of adults worldwide, usually during childhood.
• Associated Diseases: Infectious mononucleosis, certain cancers, multiple sclerosis and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD).

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY)

Government Schemes

News- 

• All 100 PMDDKY districts increased their average score from 18.85 in April 2026 to 46.89 in August 2026.

Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana

• Launched in – 2025. The scheme will be launched in partnership with states. 

Key Focus Areas: 

• Enhancing agricultural productivity. 

• Promoting crop diversification and sustainable practices. 

• Expanding post-harvest storage at Panchayat and Block levels. 

• Improving irrigation facilities. 

• Facilitating long-term and short-term credit access. 

Building Rural Prosperity and Resilience Program 

• Purpose: launched in partnership with states to address under-employment in agriculture. 
• Key Focus Areas: Skilling, investment, and technology to invigorate rural economy. Modernizing agriculture with improved productivity and warehousing. 
• Target Beneficiaries: Rural women, young farmers, marginal & small farmers and landless families.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)

Polity

News – 

• The Experts highlight concerns regarding the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, to balance national security with constitutional liberties.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 

• Objective: Prevent unlawful activities threatening India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and address terrorism-related offences.
• Constitutional Basis: Parliament’s legislative powers under the Constitution, including relevant provisions of the Union List.
• 2004 Amendment: Incorporated terrorist activities within the Act’s framework.
• 2019 Amendment: Empowered the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists under specified conditions.
• Implementing Agencies: National Investigation Agency (NIA) and other Central and State law enforcement agencies.

United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

International

News – 

• India has rejected remarks by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) concerning the detention of protesters in Delhi.

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) — UPSC

• Established: 1993, following the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Parent Organisation: UN Secretariat.
• Functions: Monitors human rights, provides technical assistance, supports international human rights mechanisms and raises concerns over alleged violations.
• Head: High Commissioner, appointed by the UN Secretary-General and approved by the UN General Assembly.

Panama

International

News – 

• A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Panama, and tsunami warnings were issued for parts of Central and South America.

Panama 

• Location: Central America; strategically important due to the Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
• Capital: Panama City.
• Neighbours: Costa Rica (west) and Colombia (east).
• Water Bodies: Caribbean Sea (north) and Pacific Ocean (south).
• Political System: Presidential republic.
• Major Rivers: Chagres, Tuira, Chepo and Chucunaque.

INS Shreyas

Defence

denece 

• Context: Third of four planned Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), launched in Kolkata.
• Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), an Indian shipyard.
• Meaning: “Best” or “most excellent” in Sanskrit.
• Capabilities: Maximum speed of 23 knots; range of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots.
• Operational Roles: Anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, evacuation, search and rescue, and offshore asset protection.
• Significance: Strengthens indigenous naval shipbuilding and maritime security.

World Mental Health Day 2026

Health

Context

• World Mental Health Day is observed annually on October 10.

• The 2026 theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”.

• Initiated by : 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
• Mental Health: State of well-being that enables individuals to cope with stress, work productively and contribute to society.

Indian Initiatives

• Tele-MANAS: 24×7 tele-mental health helpline providing counselling and support.
• National Mental Health Programme (NMHP): Launched in 1982.
• District Mental Health Programme (DMHP): Launched in 1996, based on Karnataka’s Bellary Model.
• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: Integrate mental health services into comprehensive primary healthcare.
• Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Protects the rights and dignity of persons with mental illness.

Global Initiatives

• WHO Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan (2013–2030): Strengthens mental health services, leadership and prevention.
• WHO mhGAP: Supports evidence-based mental healthcare through non-specialist health workers.
• SDG 3.4: Promotes mental health and well-being alongside reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

World Cotton Day

Economy

Context

• India and Mali jointly organised a UN event on “Cotton for Sustainability: Livelihoods, Value Addition and Partnership.

World Cotton Day

• Observed: 7 October, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.
• First observed: 7 October 2019, in Geneva.
• Origin: Proposed by the Cotton Four (C-4) countries — Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad and Mali.
• Objective: Promote cotton, its by-products, markets and livelihoods.

Cotton Production in India

• White Gold: Cotton is economically important for India’s agricultural and textile sectors.
• Global significance: Cotton accounts for around 23% of global fibre production.
• Cotton species: India is the only country cultivating all four recognised cotton species.
• Asian cotton: Gossypium arboreum and Gossypium herbaceum.

Major Cotton-Growing Zones

• Northern Zone: Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
• Central Zone: Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
• Southern Zone: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Other states: Odisha and Tamil Nadu.

Bt Cotton

• Bt: Bacillus thuringiensis, a naturally occurring soil bacterium.
• Introduction: Commercially introduced in India in 2002.
• Purpose: Provides resistance against bollworms, reducing crop losses and insecticide use.

Government Initiatives

• MSP for Cotton (2026–27)

• Mission for Cotton Productivity (2025–26) – Five-year mission to develop high-yielding, pest-resistant and climate-resilient varieties.

• Kapas Kisan App – Facilitates farmer self-registration and booking of procurement slots under the MSP system.
• Kasturi Cotton Bharat – Promotes Indian cotton through traceability, certification, branding and improved global market positioning.

Khadi and Village Industries (KVI)

Economy

Context

• Khadi and Village Industries (KVI) have continued to play a significant role in promoting rural livelihoods, generating employment and strengthening the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) 

• Establishment: Statutory body established in 1957 under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956.
• Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• Objectives: Promote khadi and village industries, generate rural employment, encourage self-employment and strengthen local production.
• Functions: Financial assistance, artisan training, marketing support and development of village-based enterprises.

Major Initiatives

• Khadi Vikas Yojana (KVY) – Promotes the khadi sector through:

1. Modified Market Development Assistance (MMDA).
2. Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate (ISEC).
3. Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans.
4. Strengthening of existing weak Khadi Institutions.
5. Assistance for Marketing Infrastructure.
6. Khadi Science and Technology initiatives.

• Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY) – Promotes village industries through common facilities, technology upgradation, training and toolkit distribution.

• Centre of Excellence for Khadi (CoEK) – Established by KVIC in collaboration with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi.

• • Objective: Design intervention, product development and market support for khadi products.

• Significance

1. Creates rural employment and supports traditional artisans.
2. Promotes self-reliance and local entrepreneurship.
3. Preserves traditional skills while improving product quality and market access.

Central Asian Flyway (CAF)

Environment

Context

• The Central Asian Conservation Network (CACN) has launched a new Central Asian Flyway Digital Hub.

Central Asian Flyway Digital Hub

• Launched by: Central Asian Conservation Network (CACN).
• Objective: Strengthen knowledge-sharing and cooperation for the conservation of migratory birds.
• Key Features:

1. Information on migratory bird species, important flyway sites and conservation projects.
2. Opportunities for public participation.
3. Dedicated portals to report bird collisions and sightings of marked birds.

• Importance: The Digital Hub can improve cross-border data sharing, monitoring of bird collisions and coordinated conservation efforts.

Central Asian Flyway (CAF)

• Geographical extent: Covers 30 countries across North, Central and South Asia and the Trans-Caucasus, connecting the Arctic and Indian Oceans.
• Bird diversity: More than 600 bird species use this flyway.
• Species covered: Migratory waterbirds, landbirds and raptors.
• Significance: Supports international cooperation for conserving migratory birds, many of which face population declines.
• International framework: Associated with conservation efforts under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

Connect with the basics  – CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES OR BONN CONVENTION

• Known as – The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals is more commonly known as Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention;
• Objective – It aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.
• Launched under – It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), concerned with the conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.
• Coverage – The Appendices of CMS include many mammals, including land mammals, marine mammals and bats; birds; fish; reptiles and one insect.

Concept of Flyways

• Developed by –  Bird Life International
• Definition – According to Bird Life International, flyways are geographical areas covered by a migratory bird over the course of its annual cycle, encompassing breeding and non-breeding grounds and the connecting migration route.

CAQM Panel Proposes 100% Electric Cars in Delhi by 2030

Environment

Context

• A 15-member expert committee appointed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recommended a phased phase-out of older vehicles in Delhi-NCR.

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) 

• Established: Under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
• Objective: Coordinate, monitor and address air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.

Powers and Functions

• Restricts activities affecting air quality and issues pollution-control guidelines.
• Issues binding directions to concerned authorities and persons.
• May impose environmental compensation for stubble burning, as prescribed by the Central Government.
• Issues orders under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to combat air pollution in the NCR.
• In case of conflict, its directions prevail over those of state governments, CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards and other state-level statutory bodies.

Significance

• Enables coordinated action against air pollution across state boundaries.
• Strengthens pollution-control enforcement and accountability.
• Promotes a regional approach to improving air quality.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

International

News – 

• France’s Special Envoy for IMEC called for adding alternative routes to IMEC amid shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz.

India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) 

• Announced: G20 New Delhi Summit, 2023.
• Objective: Develop a multimodal trade corridor linking India with Europe through the Gulf.

Corridors

• Eastern Corridor: India to the Gulf by sea.
• Northern Corridor: Gulf to Haifa (Israel) by rail through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, then to Europe by sea.
• Signatories: India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, France, Germany, Italy, EU and the US. Jordan and Israel are non-signatories to the MoU.
• Funding: G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), launched in 2022, aims to mobilise $600 billion by 2027.

Significance

• Faster trade: Projected to reduce transit time by around 40%.
• Strategic connectivity: Could reduce dependence on the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and Suez Canal.
• Mediterranean gateway: Adani Ports acquired a 70% stake in Haifa Port Company in 2023.
• Geopolitical significance: Offers an alternative connectivity framework to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Energy and digital links: Proposes electricity cables, digital cables and clean hydrogen pipelines.