UPSC Current Affairs
Gujarat Tops Investment Index and India Marks Historic Private Space Launch
10 stories · about 4 min read · quiz and Mains question at the end
Gujarat Tops NITI Aayog Investment Friendliness Index 2026
Gujarat has secured the top rank in NITI Aayog's first Investment Friendliness Index 2026 among major states, scoring 56.6 points. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu finished second and third with scores of 53.7 and 53.3 points respectively. The index evaluates 17 major states across key regulatory, infrastructure, and ease-of-doing-business parameters to stimulate competitive federalism.
Vikram-1 Private Rocket Launches Successfully
Skyroot Aerospace successfully executed 'Mission Aagaman' by launching Vikram-1, India's first private orbital-class rocket. The multi-stage solid-fuel rocket completed its 15.46-minute flight sequence to place tech payloads and postcards into a precise low-Earth orbit. This achievement cements India's entry into the select group of nations possessing private orbital launch capabilities.
Cyber Vulnerabilities Highlight Risks to Kudankulam Nuclear Plant
Recent editorial analyses have brought renewed focus to the data security of India's nuclear installations, referencing historical cyber incidents at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. Experts emphasize that robust cybersecurity, independent audits, and active public transparency are non-negotiable for critical infrastructure safety in the modern era.
WRI Launches Tool to Track Urban Food Waste Emissions
The World Resources Institute (WRI) has developed an Excel-based tool designed to help Indian cities, businesses, and resident associations quantify and reduce greenhouse gas emissions arising from food waste. The tool estimates carbon footprints across food transport, treatment, and disposal phases to aid municipalities in drafting precise climate action plans.
Supreme Court Scrutinizes Two-Child Norm in Local Polls
The Supreme Court has raised questions about the constitutional and social validity of the two-child rule enforced by several states for contesting panchayat and local body elections. The bench indicated a need to examine if such disqualifications disproportionately affect marginalized groups and whether they remain demographically justified.
Kerala Launches 'Operation Toofan' to Combat Drug Cartels
The Kerala state government has launched a coordinated multi-agency campaign named 'Operation Toofan' to target organized narcotics cartels and drug abuse hubs. The operation aims to disrupt interstate supply chains, strengthen intelligence sharing, and establish systemic rehabilitation networks across local communities.
United States Tightens Visa Rules for Indian Scholars and Media
The US Department of Homeland Security has introduced significant regulatory modifications within the F, J, and I visa categories, citing heightened national security concerns. These changes will lead to tighter scrutiny and revised stay durations for international students, PhD scholars, exchange visitors, and media professionals from India and China.
Balancing Sustainability and Fuel Goals in India's E20 Mandate
As India transitions towards a nation-wide 20 percent ethanol-blended petrol (E20) mandate, environmentalists are raising concerns over the heavy reliance on water-intensive sugarcane crops. This policy focus coincides with a slower adoption rate of electric vehicles in India compared to other large global automotive markets.
Supreme Court Clears India's First Night Safari in Kukrail
The Supreme Court has given the final go-ahead for India's first night safari project in the Kukrail forest region of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Designed as an eco-tourism and wildlife preservation hub, the initiative aims to maintain local biodiversity while offering controlled, nocturnal educational tours to the public.
Undersea Excavation Begins for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train
The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project has achieved a major milestone with its second Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) beginning excavation for India's first undersea rail tunnel. The 21-kilometer tunnel, featuring a 7-kilometer undersea stretch beneath Thane Creek, represents a significant engineering and design feat.
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