UPSC Current Affairs
India's R&D Spending Reaches Historic Milestone as Private Sector Outpaces Government Funding
10 stories · about 3 min read · quiz and Mains question at the end
Private Sector Drives India's R&D Spending Past 0.8% of GDP
Official data reveals that India's Research and Development (R&D) spending has crossed 0.8% of GDP for the first time since 2010. Structurally, private industry's contribution rose to 51.8% in 2023-24, marking the first time businesses have contributed more to national research than the government.
Parliament Passes Strict Anti-Paper Leak Bill
The Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill to combat malpractices in national examinations. The bill introduces larger fines, longer jail terms, and dedicated fast-track courts to deal with organized paper leaks.
Supreme Court Restricts Routine Post-Facto Environmental Clearances
The Supreme Court ruled that post-facto environmental clearances should not be used as an amnesty scheme for violators. The Court set a strict "public interest" test, emphasizing that such clearances must balance economic progress with environmental protection rather than condoning illegal activities.
India Launches Native Protection and Indemnity Marine Insurance Pool
The Ministry of Finance has launched a Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance product under the newly created Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool. The first policy was issued to the Shipping Corporation of India, aimed at reducing the country's dependence on foreign P&I clubs.
Panel Urges India to Appoint Polar Ambassador, Seek Arctic Council Membership
A parliamentary committee has recommended that India appoint a dedicated "Polar Ambassador" to coordinate its interests in polar science and geopolitics. The panel also urged the government to pursue full membership in the Arctic Council to secure its strategic interests.
Industrial Growth Surges to 23-Month High of 7.3%
India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) quickened to 7.3% in June 2026, driven by strong growth in manufacturing, electricity, and capital goods. However, analysts caution that this might represent a temporary respite rather than a long-term expansionary trend.
Eco-Restoration Project Boosts Nilgiri Tahr Population in Kerala
The Nilgiri tahr population in the Varayattumudy hills of Idukki has surged from 50 in 2022 to nearly 150. This recovery is attributed to a successful 22.5-hectare eco-restoration project executed by the state Forest Department to ensure food availability.
Dementia Risk Study Highlights Vulnerability of Rural Women
A recent study identified diabetes and hearing loss as key modifiable risk factors driving dementia in India. The study noted a higher prevalence among rural populations and women, primarily due to the underdiagnosis of these underlying health conditions.
NCISM Rules Registered AYUSH Practitioners Cannot Be Termed 'Quacks'
The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) issued a circular reinforcing the legal status of registered AYUSH practitioners. The circular aims to prevent their public mischaracterization and protect their legal status within India's healthcare system.
Bureaucratic Reform Unlocks Rs 1 Lakh Crore in Unclaimed Dividends
The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) highlighted that a 25-step, three-portal bureaucratic maze had trapped citizen's unclaimed shares and dividends for years. A major process overhaul has successfully increased monthly approvals from 900 to over 14,500.
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