📰 Today's Current Affairs — Read Now →
📷 Follow on Instagram

2026 current affairs

DRDO Tests 120 km Range Pinaka Rocket

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Defence Current Affairs /

Why in News?

DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) at Chandipur, Odisha.

pinaka 120

Pinaka

  • Pinaka is an indigenous Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) system developed by DRDO.
  •  A single Pinaka launcher can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in just 44 seconds.
Current variants & range
Pinaka Mark-IThe initial version with a range of approximately 40 km
Pinaka Mark-IIOffers an extended range of 60–75 km
Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket (LRGR)This variant reaches up to 120 km with precision guidance.
Global Interest:

 India has successfully exported the Pinaka system to Armenia in a deal worth approximately ₹2,000 crore. Other nations, including France, have expressed interest in evaluating the system for their own artillery needs.

Exam Tip

Pinaka = Rocket System (Not a Missile)

https://ddnews.gov.in/en/drdo-successfully-conducts-maiden-flight-test-of-120-km-strike-range-pinaka-rockets/: DRDO Tests 120 km Range Pinaka Rocket

DRDO Tests 120 km Range Pinaka Rocket Read More »

PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 mission failed due to anomaly during upper-stage flight:

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Why in News?

The PSLV-C62 mission carrying the EOS-N1 satellite was declared unsuccessful due to an anomaly during the upper-stage flight. This raises concerns as it is the second consecutive failure of PSLV, India’s trusted launch vehicle

pslv c62

Key Highlights:

  • Mission Name: PSLV-C62
  • Launch Vehicle: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
  • Payload: 16 satellites
  • Main Satellite: EOS-N1 (Anvesha)
  • Failure Reason: Anomaly during upper-stage flight (PS4 stage)
  • Previous Failure: PSLV-C61 (May 2025, third-stage issue)
EOS-N1 (Anvesha)

EOS-N1, also known as Anvesha, was a highly advanced hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite developed by DRDO.  
It was intended to serve as a critical strategic asset for national security, capable of “seeing” through camouflage by identifying materials based on their unique spectral fingerprints.

Exam Tip:

Remember: PSLV = 4 stages → Solid + Liquid + Solid + Liquid

https://theprint.in/science/isro-pslv-c62-eos-n1-satellite/2825191/: PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 mission failed due to anomaly during upper-stage flight:

PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 mission failed due to anomaly during upper-stage flight: Read More »

IIT Madras Launches ‘Param Shakti’ Supercomputer

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Why in News?

IIT Madras has launched ‘Param Shakti’, an indigenously developed supercomputer. It marks a significant advancement in India’s high-performance computing (HPC) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

param shakti

Key Highlights:

  • Developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
  • Installed at IIT Madras.
  • Built under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) jointly led by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Background:

A supercomputer is a highly powerful computer capable of performing extremely complex calculations at very high speeds. India has been developing supercomputers under the PARAM series, starting with PARAM 8000 (1991).

The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) aims to create a network of 70+ supercomputers across India to boost research and innovation.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2026/Jan/09/supercomputer-param-shakti-launched-at-iit-madras: IIT Madras Launches ‘Param Shakti’ Supercomputer

IIT Madras Launches ‘Param Shakti’ Supercomputer Read More »

World’s First Mountain Ice Core Vault Opens in Antarctica

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Why in News?

Scientists have inaugurated the world’s first global mountain ice core repository, called the Ice Memory Sanctuary, in Antarctica. The initiative aims to preserve climate records stored in glaciers, which are rapidly melting due to global warming

world

Key Highlights:

  • The facility is located at the Concordia Research Station on the Antarctic Plateau.
  • It is designed to store ice cores from mountain glaciers across the world.
  • The vault maintains a constant temperature of around –52°C, ideal for long-term preservation.
https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/global-ice-archive-antarctica-climate-history-glacier-melt-2852853-2026-01-16: World’s First Mountain Ice Core Vault Opens in Antarctica

World’s First Mountain Ice Core Vault Opens in Antarctica Read More »

India to Establish First State-Funded BSL-4 Lab in Gujarat

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Why in News?

Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone for a Bio-Safety Level 4 (BSL-4) Containment Facility in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s high-risk pathogen research infrastructure.

bsl

Biosafety levels: Explained

  • BSL-1 (Lowest Level): Handles organisms that do not cause disease in healthy humans, such as non-pathogenic E. coli. Standard precautions like hand hygiene and basic protective gear are sufficient.
  • BSL-2: Deals with pathogens causing moderate illness (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Hepatitis viruses). Requires restricted access, proper waste management, PPE, and biosafety cabinets.
  • BSL-3: Involves pathogens that can cause severe or potentially fatal diseases and spread through aerosols, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV. Enhanced containment and ventilation systems are essential.
  • BSL-4 (Highest Level): Reserved for highly dangerous pathogens with high fatality rates and no available treatment, such as Ebola and Marburg viruses. These labs feature complete isolation, full-body positive-pressure suits, and stringent decontamination protocols.

Biosafety level laboratories are specifically designed to study the world’s most dangerous and highly infectious pathogens, many of which have no known vaccines or effective treatments.

Exam Tip

Remember the sequence: BSL-1 → BSL-2 → BSL-3 → BSL-4 (increasing risk and containment)

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/gujarat-bsl-4-lab-10474986/: India to Establish First State-Funded BSL-4 Lab in Gujarat

India to Establish First State-Funded BSL-4 Lab in Gujarat Read More »

🇮🇳 First ‘Made in India’ C-295 Aircraft to Roll Out Soon

Leave a Comment / Indian Polity and Constitution MCQs, Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Why in News?

The first ‘Made in India’ C-295 military transport aircraft is expected to roll out before September. This marks a major milestone in India’s defence indigenisation and Make in India initiative.

c 295 aircraft

Key Highlights:

The ‘Made in India’ C-295 programme represents a major milestone in defence manufacturing, as it marks the first instance of a complete military aircraft being produced in India by a private company, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).

  • India signed a ₹21,935 crore deal in 2021 with Airbus Defence and Space to procure 56 C-295 aircraft. The project is a joint collaboration between Airbus and TASL.
  • 16 aircraft will be delivered in fly-away condition from Spain. The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
  • This is the first time a private Indian company is manufacturing a complete military aircraft in India.
  • The manufacturing facility is located in Vadodara, Gujarat.
Background:

The C-295 aircraft is a medium tactical transport aircraft used for logistics, troop transport, and medical evacuation. It will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF)

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/made-in-india-c295-aircraft-defence-capabilities-10491194/: 🇮🇳 First ‘Made in India’ C-295 Aircraft to Roll Out Soon

🇮🇳 First ‘Made in India’ C-295 Aircraft to Roll Out Soon Read More »

SHANTI Bill Passed by Parliament to Reform Nuclear Law

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Parliament has cleared the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy in India (SHANTI) Bill.

shanti bill

key features

  • Opening of Nuclear Sector: The SHANTI Bill brings a major shift by allowing private and foreign participation in India’s nuclear power sector, which was earlier fully controlled by the government
  • Private Participation & Licensing: Under the Bill, private Indian companies can now obtain licences to build, own, and operate nuclear power plants. It also permits foreign suppliers to participate in the sector
  • Government Control & Ownership Pattern: The Bill allows up to 49% private participation, while ensuring 51% government control over critical areas such as: Nuclear fuel production, Heavy water manufacturing etc
  • End of NPCIL Monopoly: Earlier, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) had exclusive control over nuclear plant operations. The Bill removes this monopoly and allows private players and joint ventures to operate nuclear power plants
  • Liability Provisions

₹3,000 crore → Large plants (3600 MW)
₹1,500 crore → Medium plants (1500–3600 MW)
₹100 crore → Small Modular Reactors (150 MW)

Exam Tip:

SHANTI Bill = Private entry + End of NPCIL monopoly + SMRs + Fixed liability

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=156593&ModuleId=3&reg=3&lang=2: SHANTI Bill Passed by Parliament to Reform Nuclear Law

SHANTI Bill Passed by Parliament to Reform Nuclear Law Read More »

India’s First Hydrogen Train Trial Begins

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

India has commenced the trial run of its first indigenously developed Hydrogen-powered train on the Jind–Sonipat section in Haryana.

hydrogen train
  • Trial conducted by Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO).
  • Train developed by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
  • Uses hydrogen fuel cells instead of diesel. Produces only water vapor and heat as by-products.
  • India joins countries like Germany, Japan, China, and Sweden in hydrogen train technology
Exam Tip

Hydrogen Train = Fuel Cell + Zero Emissions + Water as by-product

https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/indian-railways-hydrogen-train-clears-load-tests-launch-soon-125081500957_1.html: India’s First Hydrogen Train Trial Begins

India’s First Hydrogen Train Trial Begins Read More »

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen Commercially

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Why in News?

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for road construction. This is a major step towards green infrastructure and sustainable development.

biutemen

Bio-bitumen is manufactured through the thermal decomposition of biomass, a process known as pyrolysis, which converts organic matter into a usable binder

  • It is an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based bitumen.
  • Produced from renewable biological sources instead of crude oil.
  • Used as a binder in road construction, similar to traditional bitumen. Helps in reducing carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependency.
Background

Traditional bitumen is derived from crude oil, which contributes to pollution and carbon emissions.

To promote environment-friendly infrastructure, researchers developed bio-bitumen using organic and renewable materials

Exam Tip:

Bio-bitumen = Renewable + Eco-friendly + Used in roads

https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-becomes-first-country-to-commercially-produce-bio-bitumen-in-road-construction/: India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen Commercially

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen Commercially Read More »

US Invites India to Join Pax Silica Initiative

Leave a Comment / Daily Current Affairs, Science and Technology Current Affairs /

Why in News?

United States has announced that India will be invited to join Pax Silica as a full member in February 2026.

pax silica initiative

Pax Silica is a multilateral technology and economic security initiative launched by the US.

  • Focuses on trusted global supply chains.
  • Aims to reduce dependence on China in critical technologies.
Background:

In recent years, global tensions and supply disruptions have exposed risks in depending on a few countries for semiconductors and critical minerals.

To address this, the US launched Pax Silica to build a secure and reliable technology ecosystem with like-minded countries.

Exam Tip:

Pax Silica = Tech alliance + supply chain security + reduce dependence on China

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2230648&reg=3&lang=1: US Invites India to Join Pax Silica Initiative

US Invites India to Join Pax Silica Initiative Read More »

Subscribe
Subscribe