INDIAN NAVY LAUNCHES NGOPV ‘SANGHMITRA’ AT GRSE KOLKATA

Why in the News? ● Naval Launch: The Sanghmitra, a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), was launched at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata. ● Indigenous Shipbuilding: The vessel is part of India’s indigenously designed and built NGOPV programme. ● Strategic Objective: The launch supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives…

SUPREME COURT REJECTS PLEA AGAINST CASTE ENUMERATION IN CENSUS 2027

Why in the News? ● SC Verdict: The Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea opposing caste enumeration in Census 2027. ● Policy Matter: The Court observed that determining caste data falls within the policy domain of the government, unlike matters requiring environmental clearance where judicial scrutiny is more intensive. ● Census Change: The Union…

TAIWAN TRAVELOGUE WINS INTERNATIONAL BOOKER PRIZE 2026

Why in the News? ● Global Recognition: Taiwan Travelogue won the International Booker Prize 2026 in London. ● Historic Milestone: It became the first Mandarin Chinese translated novel to receive the prestigious literary award. ● Shared Honour: Taiwanese author Yáng Shuāng-zi and translator Lin King jointly received the prize. DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE NOVEL ● …

INDIA HOSTS PRAGATI 2026 MULTILATERAL MILITARY EXERCISE

Why in the News? ●  Military Exercise: India commenced the multinational military exercise PRAGATI 2026 at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya. ●  International Participation: Armed forces from 12 friendly nations are participating in the exercise. ●  Counter-Terror Focus: The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, with training grounds complying with Forest…

FIRST KHELO INDIA TRIBAL GAMES BEGIN IN CHHATTISGARH

Why in the News? ● First Edition: The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games commenced in Chhattisgarh. ● National Participation: More than 3,000 tribal athletes and officials from nearly 30 States and Union Territories are participating. ● Talent Promotion: The event aims to provide a national platform for tribal youth to showcase sporting talent while ensuring…

INDIAN RESEARCHERS DISCOVER ULTRA-SHORT PERIOD STELLAR BINARY SYSTEM

Why in the News? ● Major Discovery: Indian researchers discovered a blue straggler star hosting a brown dwarf companion in an ultra-compact binary system. ● Shortest Orbit: The binary system has an exceptionally short orbital period of nearly 5.6 hours (0.234 days). ● Scientific Significance: The discovery was published in the journal Monthly Notices of…

MINISTRY OF AYUSH LAUNCHES AYUSH ANUDAN PORTAL

Why in the News? ● Portal Launch: The Ministry of Ayush launched the Ayush Anudan Portal for digital grant management, establishing a framework similar to how environmental clearance systems streamline regulatory processes. ● Transparency Push: The platform aims to improve transparency, accountability and operational efficiency in scheme implementation, drawing parallels with principles like the precautionary…

ZWAN-WOLF EFFECT

Why in the News? ● Mars Discovery: Scientists detected the Zwan-Wolf effect on Mars using data from National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s MAVEN spacecraft. ● Scientific Study: The findings were published in Nature Communications by researchers from France, the U.K. and the U.S. ● Solar Storm Trigger: The phenomenon was observed during a powerful coronal…

SUPREME COURT ALLOWS EUTHANASIA OF DANGEROUS STRAY DOGS

Why in the News? ● SC Direction: Supreme Court of India permitted euthanasia of rabid, incurably ill and demonstrably dangerous stray dogs. ● Public Safety Concern: The judgment was delivered in response to rising incidents of dog bites and rabies infections, particularly involving children. ● Suo Motu Case: The court initiated the matter suo motu…