The Government of India has approved the development of two new airports in TelanganaβWarangal and Adilabad. This move aims to boost regional connectivity, economic growth, and aviation infrastructure in the state.
Warangal (Mamnoor) Airport
Approved by the Ministry of Civil Aviation
Located at Mamnoor near Warangal
Historically used as a training airfield Will be redeveloped into a major aviation hub for North Telangana
Adilabad Airport (Dual-Use Airport)
To be developed by the Ministry of Defence Designed as a dual-use airport:
Military training operations
Civilian air services
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India has withdrawn its bid to host the 33rd Conference of Parties (COP 33) scheduled for 2028.
COP is the annual global climate summit held under the United Nations climate framework, where countries discuss actions to tackle climate change
What is UNFCCC?
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the main international agreement guiding global efforts to combat climate change.
Key Facts:
Adopted: 1992
Event: Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro)
Objective: Stabilize greenhouse gas emissions to prevent dangerous climate change
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has introduced a new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with base year 2024=100. According to the latest data, Indiaβs retail inflation stood at 2.75% in January 2026 (year-on-year), reflecting changes in consumption patterns and economic structure.
What is CPI?
Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change in prices of goods and services consumed by households.
It is the most important indicator of inflation in India.
Used by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for monetary policy decisions.
Key Changes in New CPI Series (Base Year 2024)
1. Change in Base Year
Updated from 2012 β 2024
Reflects latest consumption patterns of households.
National Green Tribunal (NGT) has refused to halt TelanganaβsBharat Future City project, proposed over nearly 30,000 acres
The petitioner alleged: Mandatory approvals were not obtained before starting activities and bypassed procedures under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework
What is the Bharat Future City Project?
A large-scale urban development project proposed by the Telangana government
Spread across ~30,000 acres in 56 revenue villages covering 7 mandals
Located between Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar highways
Envisioned as a modern urban hub with infrastructure and economic activities
About NGT
Established under the NGT Act, 2010
A specialized environmental court for speedy justice
Key Features
Chairperson: Retired Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of a High Court
Tenure: 5 years (no reappointment)
Nature of Proceedings:
Follows principles of natural justice
Not strictly bound by the Code of Civil Procedure
Time Limit:
Aims to dispose cases within 6 months
Jurisdiction:
Covers major environmental laws (Schedule I)
Excludes:
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Forest Rights Act, 2006
Appeal Mechanism:
Decisions can be appealed in the Supreme Court within 90 days
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its first monetary policy meeting of FY 2026β27, decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%. The decision was taken unanimously by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The RBI also retained its βneutralβ policy stance, indicating flexibility in future actions
Key Highlights of Monetary Policy (FY27)
Repo Rate: 5.25%
Standing Deposit Facility (SDF): 5.00%
Marginal Standing Facility (MSF): 5.50%
Bank Rate: 5.50%
These rates are crucial tools used by RBI to regulate liquidity and inflation in the economy.
What is Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?
Established under the RBI Act, 1934 (amended in 2016)
Composition: 6 Members
3 from RBI
3 nominated by Government of India
Chairperson: RBI Governor
Meetings: At least 4 times a year
Objective:
Maintain price stability
Achieve inflation target of 4% (Β±2%)
Support economic growth
What is Neutral Policy Stance?
A neutral stance means RBI is not biased toward increasing or decreasing interest rates.
Key Features:
Equal focus on inflation control and growth
Decisions depend on future economic data
Provides policy flexibility
Important Policy Rates
Repo Rate
Repo (Repurchase Option) Rate is the rate at which RBI lends money to commercial banks.
Impact:
Increase in Repo Rate:
Loans become expensive
Reduces money supply
Controls inflation
Decrease in Repo Rate:
Loans become cheaper
Boosts investment & consumption
Promotes economic growth
SDF (Standing Deposit Facility):
Rate at which banks deposit surplus funds with RBI (without collateral)
MSF (Marginal Standing Facility):
Emergency borrowing window for banks from RBI
Bank Rate:
Long-term lending rate of RBI
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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2025, providing crucial insights into employment trends in India
Key Findings of PLFS 2025
Unemployment Rate (UR): Remained stable at 3.1%
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Stood at 59.3%
Indicates proportion of people working or seeking work
Worker Population Ratio (WPR): Recorded at 57.4%
Shows percentage of employed population
What is PLFS?
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) is Indiaβs main survey for employment and unemployment data.
Launched in 2017.
Conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI.
Frequency of PLFS
Quarterly Reports:
For urban areas
Based on Current Weekly Status (CWS)
Annual Reports:
For both rural and urban areas
Based on Usual Status
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Iran has warned that its regional allies may block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, escalating tensions in a crucial global maritime route. This comes amid disruptions already seen in the Strait of Hormuz, raising serious concerns about global trade and energy security.
Bab al-Mandeb Strait
The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, meaning βGate of Tearsβ in Arabic, is a vital maritime chokepoint.
Connects:
Red Sea (northwest)
Gulf of Aden & Indian Ocean (southeast)
Bordering Countries:
Yemen (Arabian Peninsula β Northeast)
Djibouti & Eritrea (Africa β Southwest)
Strategic & Economic Importance
Global Trade Route
Acts as a key link between:
Mediterranean Sea β Suez Canal β Red Sea β Indian Ocean
Essential for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa
Energy Security
Around 12% of global seaborne oil trade passes through
About 8% of global LNG shipments transit this route
Impact of Possible Closure
Ships may reroute via Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
Leads to: Longer travel time, Higher fuel and logistics costs and worsen inflation and energy crisis globally
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India has emerged as a global leader in issuing Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol, contributing over 56% of all certificates worldwide.
What are IRCCs?
IRCC (Internationally Recognized Certificate of Compliance):
A digital certificate issued under the Nagoya Protocol
Confirms that access to genetic resources is:
Legal
Approved by authorities
Based on agreed benefit-sharing terms
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (2010)
The Nagoya Protocol (2010) isΒ a legally binding international agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) that ensures fair sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
It aims to prevent biopiracy by requiring users to obtain Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and establish Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) with the provider country, ensuring benefits like royalties or research results are shared.
IRCCs are issued under this protocol
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The ongoing Iran War (2026) has created disruptions in global energy supplies, especially oil. This has raised concerns among economists about a possible stagflation scenario, which combines inflation with economic slowdown.
What is Stagflation?
Stagflation is a rare economic condition where:
Economic growth is slow or stagnant
Unemployment is high
Inflation is high simultaneously
Impact of Iran War on Global Economy
The conflict has affected oil supply routes and production.
Leads to increase in global crude oil prices.
Causes higher fuel and transportation costs worldwide.
Triggers inflationary pressures in many countries.
May slow down global economic growth due to rising costs.
