Quick Overview: Today’s Top Current Affairs Topics
- India ramps up LNG imports from the US, Nigeria and Oman to offset Strait of Hormuz losses
- NOTTO launches a real-time national organ transplant portal with Aadhaar-linked pledges
- Supreme Court: Section 498A IPC cruelty provisions apply to live-in relationships too
- Lok Sabha passes the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam becomes first Indian woman to win the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal
- Centre denies national monument status to Mangarh Dham, the “Adivasi Jallianwala”
- How India avoided a fertiliser crisis despite the Iran-Israel-US conflict
- Kerala Forest Department to remove illegal geotagging of ecologically sensitive forest areas
- US-Japan joint currency intervention and its impact on Indian markets
- Government proposes tax relief for offshore funds and electronics contract manufacturing
- Green Credit Programme: Key facts from a recent Parliament Question
1. India’s LNG Imports Rise as US, Nigeria and Oman Offset Hormuz Volume Loss
Why in News
India diversified its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) sourcing in the May–July 2026 period after supplies from Qatar — its largest LNG supplier — crashed due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict.
Key Facts
- India’s LNG imports rose 15.4% year-on-year to 7.08 million tonnes in May–July 2026 (Source: Kpler ship-tracking data).
- Top suppliers in this period: US (2.19 MT), Nigeria (1.31 MT), Oman (1.22 MT), Angola (0.80 MT).
- Imports from Nigeria surged 123.8% and from Oman 340.9% year-on-year.
- Imports from Qatar crashed by 91.3%.
- India depends on LNG imports to meet about half its natural gas requirement; nearly 60% of these imports normally transit the Strait of Hormuz (via Qatar and UAE).
- The Strait of Hormuz — between Iran and Oman, linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman — handles about one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments, making it a critical energy chokepoint.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper III (Economy/Security): Energy security, import diversification, strategic chokepoints, India’s energy geopolitics.
- GS Paper II (International Relations): Impact of West Asia conflict on global supply chains.
- Mains Value Addition: Cite this as a live example of “energy security through diversification” in essays or answers on India’s foreign trade/energy policy.
2. NOTTO Launches Real-Time National Organ Transplant Portal
Why in News
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has launched a dynamic, real-time portal and mobile application to generate a countrywide waiting list for organ transplants.
Key Facts
- The portal enables a unified national waiting list, real-time tracking of organ allocation, nationwide matching of swap donors, and recording of transplant outcomes.
- It allows hospitals, states, and regional bodies to raise “super urgent” requests.
- Pledges will be Aadhaar-linked, improving transparency and reducing delays.
- Organ transplants in India (2025): Total 20,138 — comprising 16,612 living-donor and 3,526 deceased-donor transplants.
- Kidney: 14,477 | Liver: 5,154 | Heart: 239 | Lung: 210 | Pancreas: 35
- NOTTO functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as the apex regulatory body for organ and tissue transplantation in India.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper II (Governance/Health): e-Governance in healthcare, transparency in public service delivery, welfare schemes.
- Prelims Angle: Remember NOTTO’s full form and nodal ministry; India’s deceased donor rate remains low compared to living donors — a key policy issue.
3. Supreme Court: Cruelty Law (Section 498A IPC) Applies to Live-In Relationships
Why in News
The Supreme Court ruled that men in live-in relationships “in the nature of marriage” — and their relatives — can be prosecuted under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code for cruelty to their partners.
Key Facts
- The bench (Justices Sanjay Karol and N.K. Singh) held that live-in relationships are “today, more or less, a reality.”
- Section 498A applies to relationships that qualify as being “in the nature of marriage,” with intent to marry established as an intrinsic part.
- The Court gave the word “husband” a purposive interpretation, keeping in view the “reformative, corrective and socially beneficial intent” of the provision.
- Key observation: “Cruelty, any which way, does not check at the door, whether the house it enters is that of a married woman or not.”
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper II (Polity/Judiciary): Judicial interpretation of statutes, protection of women, evolving definition of family/marriage in Indian law.
- Mains Value Addition: Useful for answers on gender justice, live-in relationships and law, or judicial activism expanding statutory protections.
4. Lok Sabha Passes the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026
Why in News
Amid Opposition protests, the Lok Sabha passed the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, aimed at increasing the number of Supreme Court judges to tackle the backlog of pending cases.
Key Facts
- As of January 1, 2026, 92,101 cases were pending before the Supreme Court — cited as the rationale for the Bill.
- Two other significant Bills were tabled in the Lok Sabha the same day:
- Indian Statistical Institute (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – proposes changes to ISI’s governance structure.
- Bankers’ Book Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – expands the definition of “bankers’ books” to include physical, electronic, digital, virtual, and cloud-based records.
- The Rajya Sabha separately passed the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Amendment) Bill, 2026, amending the MSMED Act, 2006.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper II (Polity): Judicial reforms, pendency of cases, structure of higher judiciary, legislative process.
- Prelims Angle: The sanctioned strength of Supreme Court judges is fixed by Parliament under Article 124(1) — track the revised number once notified.
5. Annapurni Subramaniam: First Indian Woman to Win the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal
Why in News
Astrophysicist Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, became the first Indian woman scientist to receive the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal 2026, awarded during the 46th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Florence, Italy.
Key Facts
- The medal is jointly awarded by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) — affiliated with the International Science Council and the UN (through UN-COPUS) — and ISRO.
- She is only the fourth Indian and third woman overall to receive this medal. Previous Indian recipients: Anil Bharadwaj (2024), Gurbax Singh Lakhina (2014), and former ISRO Chairman U.R. Rao (1996).
- She specialises in stellar physics, studying star clusters and nearby galaxies.
- In 2024, she received the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar – Vigyan Shri in the Space Science and Technology category.
- She served as the calibration scientist for the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) aboard AstroSat, India’s first space-based space telescope (launched 2015).
- She is also involved with the Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) international consortium, in which India is a participating member.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper III (Science & Technology): Space science achievements, India’s role in international scientific collaborations.
- Prelims Angle: Awards and Honours — a recurring Prelims theme; note AstroSat, UVIT, and TMT as related static facts.
6. Centre Denies National Monument Status to Mangarh Dham
Why in News
The Union Ministry of Culture informed Parliament that Mangarh Dham, often called the “Adivasi Jallianwala,” does not qualify for declaration as a monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, citing extensive modern development at the site.
Key Facts
- Mangarh Dham lies in the hills on the Rajasthan–Gujarat border (Banswara district, Rajasthan).
- On November 17, 1913, hundreds of Bhil tribals were killed by British forces at this site.
- Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot’s 2022 letter to the PM had cited an estimate of 1,500 tribal deaths in the massacre.
- The Ministry stated the site “does not retain the archaeological characteristics, authenticity and integrity required” for national monument status due to modern construction.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper I (History/Culture): Tribal freedom movements, lesser-known events of the freedom struggle, protection of heritage sites.
- Mains Value Addition: Strong example for answers on tribal contributions to India’s freedom struggle, often overshadowed by mainstream narratives.
7. Why the Iran War Didn’t Trigger a Fertiliser Crisis in India
Why in News
Despite the US-Israel-Iran conflict disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and global energy/fertiliser supply chains, India managed to avoid a fertiliser crisis through proactive government measures and reduced demand.
Key Facts
- India’s urea production fell to 17.5 lakh tonnes in April–June 2026, from 24.7 lakh tonnes a year earlier, mainly due to disrupted LNG supplies (used as feedstock).
- Before the war, 53–54% of India’s LNG imports came from Qatar and the UAE.
- The government pushed GAIL and Indian Oil Corporation to diversify LNG sourcing to spot markets, sourcing from the US, Oman, Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Indonesia and Trinidad.
- Domestic urea offtake fell 21% in April; states like Punjab and Uttarakhand proactively secured supplies ahead of state elections.
- A weak/deficient monsoon (rainfall 12.6% below normal in June–July) also reduced fertiliser demand, as kharif sowing lagged.
- The conflict squeezed ammonia and sulphuric acid supplies (needed for DAP, SSP and complex fertilisers) from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper III (Agriculture/Economy): Fertiliser subsidy, import dependence, supply chain resilience, monsoon-agriculture linkages.
- Mains Value Addition: Good current example for questions on India’s fertiliser security and diversification strategy.
8. Behind Kerala’s Move to Remove Forest Spots from Google Maps
Why in News
Kerala’s Forest Department has decided to identify and remove illegally geotagged locations inside ecologically sensitive forest areas from online map platforms like Google Maps.
Key Facts
- Geotagging = assigning a geographical location to a photo/video on an online map; it becomes “illegal” per Kerala’s Forest Department when the tagged location is a sensitive ecological spot.
- The move aims to prevent unauthorised human entry that endangers both people and wildlife, especially in wildlife corridors frequented by elephants, bison, and big cats.
- Illegally tagged spots are often mountainous, disaster-prone regions (mudslides) that attract tourists seeking scenic monsoon views.
- The Forest Department will compile a list via its IT wing and forward it to online platforms for removal, and may initiate legal action against those who created the tags.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology): Human-wildlife conflict, conservation of protected areas, technology misuse in ecologically fragile zones.
- Prelims Angle: Possible factual/current-affairs based question on state-level conservation initiatives.
9. US-Japan Joint Currency Intervention and Its Impact on Indian Markets
Why in News
The US and Japan carried out a joint coordinated intervention in the currency market to strengthen the yen against the US dollar — the first such joint action since 2011 — with implications for Indian equity and debt markets.
Key Facts
- The intervention follows the US-Japan Finance Ministers’ Joint Statement (September 2025).
- The yen had been at 40-year lows; after intervention, it strengthened by around 1% to trade near 155–156 per dollar.
- India’s stock market saw a positive FII inflow of $2.1 billion (~₹20,200 crore) in July 2026, after four straight months of outflows; overall FII outflows stand at $27.2 billion (~₹2.54 lakh crore) so far in 2026.
- A weaker yen fuels the yen carry trade — borrowing cheap yen to invest in emerging markets like India; a stronger yen could unwind this trade, pressuring EM equities.
- India’s exposure to yen carry trades is estimated around $21 billion (~2.2% of total FII holdings) as per an Elara Capital report.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper III (Economy): Currency markets, capital flows, monetary policy spillovers, carry trade dynamics.
- Mains Value Addition: Useful example for questions on global monetary policy and its impact on the Indian economy/capital markets.
10. Government Proposes Tax Relief for Offshore Funds and Electronics Manufacturing
Why in News
The government has proposed significant tax relaxations for offshore/Eligible Investment Funds and for foreign companies supplying capital goods to India’s electronics manufacturing sector, along with regulatory moves on UPI/RuPay merchant fees.
Key Facts
- Foreign companies supplying capital goods, equipment, or tooling to electronics contract manufacturers can avail tax exemption till FY 2040-41 (extended from 2030-31), proposed in the Budget 2026-27.
- A new 15-year tax holiday (up to March 31, 2041) has been proposed for specified foreign entities operating as mining companies, sightholders, brokers, aggregators, and tender/auction entities dealing in rough diamonds within a notified Special Economic Zone.
- These amendments are part of the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, yet to be tabled in Parliament.
- The government proposes to reduce conditions for offshore fund tax exemption from 13 to 5, enhancing India’s competitiveness as a fund management hub, including within the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
- Separately, a legal amendment may allow banks/system providers to levy a fee on UPI transactions and RuPay debit card payments for large merchants (annual turnover above ₹50 crore) — following the Standing Committee on Finance’s observations on the “absence of MDR.”
- In June 2026, the government’s Income-tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026 exempted Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) from capital gains and withholding taxes on investments in government securities.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper III (Economy): Taxation reforms, ease of doing business, Make in India/electronics manufacturing, digital payments ecosystem.
- Mains Value Addition: Strong linkage to “Make in India,” Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and India’s push to become a global electronics manufacturing hub.
11. Green Credit Programme: Key Facts from a Parliament Question (PIB, 3 August 2026)
Why in News
In a written reply in Parliament, the government reiterated key features of the Green Credit Programme (GCP), an initiative to incentivise environmentally positive actions.
Key Facts
- GCP promotes the objectives of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), encouraging sustainable lifestyles and behavioural change.
- It aims to increase green cover, enhance carbon sequestration, restore degraded lands, and reduce carbon footprint.
- Notified under the Green Credit Rules, 2023 (12th October 2023) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Modality for tree plantation and eco-restoration of degraded forest lands was notified on 22 February 2024, revised on 29 August 2025.
- A dedicated Green Credit Programme Portal has been developed: moefccgp.in
- Administrator: Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun.
- Green Credits can be claimed only after a minimum 5-year restoration period and achieving 40% canopy density (moderately dense forest).
- Degraded forest land parcels are selected and registered by the State Forest Department after ground verification.
- A “designated agency” verifies restoration claims and reports to the Administrator before Green Credits are issued.
GS Paper Relevance
- GS Paper III (Environment): Market-based conservation mechanisms, afforestation policy, Mission LiFE.
- Prelims Angle: Remember the nodal Act (Environment Protection Act, 1986), the Administrator (ICFRE), and the 40% canopy density / 5-year threshold — commonly tested numerical details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why is daily current affairs important for UPSC preparation? Daily current affairs form the backbone of UPSC Prelims (factual/analytical questions) and Mains (examples for answer writing), and are also crucial for the Personality Test/Interview stage.
Q2. What is the Green Credit Programme in UPSC current affairs? It is a government initiative under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to incentivise environmentally positive actions such as afforestation and eco-restoration of degraded forest lands, in line with Mission LiFE.
Q3. Who is Annapurni Subramaniam? She is an astrophysicist and Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, who became the first Indian woman to win the COSPAR Vikram Sarabhai Medal in 2026.
Q4. What did the Supreme Court rule on live-in relationships and Section 498A? The Supreme Court ruled that Section 498A IPC (cruelty to a woman by husband/relatives) also applies to live-in relationships that qualify as “relationships in the nature of marriage.”