ONE LINER CURRENT AFFAIRS
National
- GST 2.0 launched with two-slab structure to simplify compliance and widen base.
- Income tax exemption threshold raised to ₹12 lakh, boosting middle-class savings.
- UGC announced Academic Credit Transfer to enable mobility across state/central universities.
- Karnataka caste survey covered 2 crore households; final list had 887 OBCs, 101 SCs, 50 STs.
- National Commission for Women reported lapses in hospital safety (Purba Medinipur sexual abuse case).
- Uttarakhand exam paper leak in Subordinate Services Commission raised concerns about governance.
- NCW urged strict enforcement of workplace harassment rules.
- J&K governance highlighted as dual structure (Lt. Governor controls law & order).
- NCRB flagged cyber fraud as India’s fastest-growing crime, prompting new digital security measures.
- Delhi NCR dengue outbreak revealed weaknesses in urban health systems.
International Relations
- U.K. and European nations recognised Palestine, giving momentum to the two-state solution.
- U.S. clarified H-1B visa fee – one-time $100,000 for new applicants only, easing fears of recurring burden.
- Saudi–Pakistan defence pact raised questions on nuclear umbrella extension.
- India pledged cooperation with U.S. on curbing precursor chemicals for fentanyl.
- WTO’s World Trade Report highlighted AI’s potential to increase global trade by 34% by 2040.
- India–EU resumed talks on digital trade and data localisation standards.
- India–FAO launched Blue Ports Initiative for sustainable maritime infrastructure.
- India sent humanitarian aid to Sudan after devastating floods.
- India invited to Russia’s Arctic LNG-2 project, linking energy with strategic security.
- Quad expanded cyber working group to counter AI-enabled disinformation.
Environment
- NGT flagged untreated leachate discharge at Bandhwari landfill (Gurugram), polluting forests and groundwater.
- Delhi to pilot “smog-eating roads” using photocatalytic coatings to reduce NO₂ and hydrocarbons.
- Chamoli flash floods in Uttarakhand showed vulnerability to GLOFs.
- Sedimentation in Bhakra and Hirakud dams reduced storage and increased flood risks.
- UNEP warned India’s urban solid waste would double by 2035 without reforms.
- EV battery efficiency ratings introduced by Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
- Wetland Rules 2025 tightened to curb encroachment by urban projects.
- Periyar Tiger Reserve highlighted as fragile biodiversity hotspot.
- Stubble burning forecast to worsen NCR winter smog season.
- Climate resilience measures emphasised for Himalayan roads and dams.
Science & Technology
- Semiconductor Mission: 10 chip facilities approved in 6 states, ₹76,000 crore outlay.
- Deloitte projected 1 million global chip designer shortage by 2030; India has 20% of talent.
- ISRO tested high-altitude landing of Reusable Launch Vehicle.
- DRDO unveiled prototype directed-energy weapon.
- IIT-M developed AI-based chip design framework.
- “Aquamonitrix” water quality monitor introduced for ion testing.
- IITs launched 6G testbeds, pushing early adoption.
- AI flood forecasting system piloted in Assam.
- National Digital Health Mission expanded records to rural PHCs.
- India–U.S. announced joint quantum computing research projects.
Governance
- GST 2.0 reform aimed to reduce tax litigation and simplify slab structure.
- EC began Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls with Aadhaar integration.
- Dam Safety Act 2021 seen as under-implemented; no decommissioning policy yet.
- Supreme Court flagged misuse of preventive detention laws.
- NCW hospital safety inspection exposed gaps in institutional monitoring.
- Workplace harassment redressal pushed through NCW directives.
- Exam paper leaks in Uttarakhand exposed governance failure in recruitment transparency.
- Drone Bill 2025 under consultation to regulate commercial & security uses.
- Digital fraud governance strengthened after NCRB report.
- UGC reforms for academic mobility aligned with NEP vision.
Economy
- GST 2.0 expected to improve demand and compliance, reduce tax burden.
- Income tax relief raised disposable income, boosting consumption.
- Semiconductor mission aimed at reducing chip import dependence.
- Global innovation index ranked India higher, reflecting R&D growth.
- AI projected to add 12–13% to global GDP by 2040 (WTO report).
- EV makers gained fresh tax incentives under green push.
- FDI in renewable energy hit record $12 billion.
- Hydropower output declining due to sedimentation in old dams.
- Global slowdown shrank merchandise exports, but services sector stayed resilient.
- Critical minerals pact with EU progressed, targeting lithium, cobalt, nickel.
Social
- NSS survey found 50% rural & 20% urban households cannot afford two thalis/day.
- PDS cereal access equalised, but protein gap persists due to low pulse consumption.
- Women’s safety issues flagged in NCW’s hospital inspection.
- 498A “cooling period” raised debate on protecting women vs preventing misuse.
- Dengue outbreaks revealed gaps in sanitation and health planning.
- Caste survey in Karnataka reignited debates on representation and welfare targeting.
- Skill certification reforms aimed at boosting youth employability.
- Cyber fraud disproportionately impacted elderly and rural users.
- Swasth Nari mission integrated reproductive health into local governance.
- Flood displacement in Assam and Sudan highlighted social vulnerability.
Defence
- MiG-21 fighter aircraft officially phased out; replaced by modern fleet.
- India joined U.S.-led Indo-Pacific military drills.
- Quad naval exercises held in Bay of Bengal.
- DRDO’s directed-energy weapons advanced indigenous defence capability.
- CDS reiterated need for Integrated Theatre Commands.
- Defence exports crossed ₹20,000 crore in 2025.
- Surveillance drones proposed for LAC and maritime zones.
- Cyber defence systems upgraded to counter ransomware & disinformation.
- Coast Guard summit focused on piracy and marine pollution in Indo-Pacific.
- Saudi–Pakistan pact seen as potential strategic challenge in Gulf.
Art & Culture
- UNESCO added 7 Indian sites to Tentative World Heritage List.
- Odisha temples considered for full UNESCO recognition.
- Ajanta caves undergoing 3D mapping for preservation.
- Kerala digitised Kathakali archives to protect performing arts.
- Purple Fest celebrated differently-abled artists and inclusion.
- GI-tag crafts (handlooms, carpets) promoted in cultural expos.
- Ramayana Circuit advanced Indo-Nepal cultural diplomacy.
- Dhangar folk arts revival in Maharashtra through state support.
- Film policy reforms opened India to global productions.
- Sarnath highlighted as Buddhist heritage and tourism hub.
Infrastructure
- UER-II expressway faced toll disputes; high tolls burdened local communities.
- Metro projects sanctioned in Lucknow, Patna, Pune.
- Highway construction pace hit 40 km/day.
- Smart Cities Mission reached ~80% completion.
- Rooftop solar funding scaled with ₹10,000 crore support.
- EV charging infra built along Delhi–Mumbai corridor.
- Chabahar port expansion discussed with Iran.
- Airport upgrades underway at Bhubaneswar and Guwahati.
- River linking projects under feasibility study in peninsular India.
- Rural 5G infra expansion enhanced digital connectivity.
Geography
- Chamoli floods exposed fragile Himalayan geomorphology.
- Assam/Bihar floods tied to Brahmaputra and Kosi river shifts.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Floods growing threat in Himalayas.
- NCR smog cycles linked to Indo-Gangetic inversion layers.
- Desertification hotspots identified in Rajasthan and Bundelkhand.
- Periyar Tiger Reserve crucial for Western Ghats biodiversity.
- Bay of Bengal cyclone belt studied for preparedness.
- Arctic LNG project underscored polar geopolitics.
- Odisha & Andhra coasts audited for cyclone readiness.
- Siliguri Corridor highlighted as strategic chokepoint.
Places in News
- Bandhwari landfill (Gurugram) – NGT leachate order.
- Chamoli (Uttarakhand) – flash floods.
- Sarnath (UP) – Buddhist heritage.
- Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala) – biodiversity.
- Ajanta caves (Maharashtra) – 3D mapping.
- Bay of Bengal – Quad drills.
- Chabahar (Iran) – port expansion.
- Arctic – LNG-2 project.
- Bhubaneswar & Guwahati – airport upgrades.
- Lucknow, Patna, Pune – metro projects.
History
- MiG-21 served India since 1960s, backbone of IAF for decades.
- Section 498A IPC added in 1983 amid dowry death crisis.
- Damodar Valley Project (1948) modelled on Tennessee Valley Authority.
- Bhakra-Nangal & Hirakud (1950s) as “temples of modern India.”
- Mullaperiyar Dam dispute rooted in 1886 British-era lease.
- Kallanai Dam (2nd century CE) oldest functioning dam.
- WTO Essential Medicines List first issued in 1977; India seeks expansion.
- Quad evolved from 2004 tsunami relief coordination.
- Last caste census in 1931; Karnataka survey revival adds continuity.
- Saudi–Pak defence ties trace back to nuclear cooperation since 1970s.
