UPSC Current Affairs
PNGRB Approves Major LPG Pipelines, Kaziranga ESZ Scrutiny, and Gaganyaan Safety Systems
8 stories · about 3 min read · quiz and Mains question at the end
PNGRB Authorises 1,800 km LPG Pipeline Infrastructure
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorised approximately 1,800 km of new LPG pipeline infrastructure with an estimated capital investment of 7,000 crore rupees. This expansion is projected to increase India's existing LPG pipeline transmission network by nearly 24 percent, enhancing energy security and reducing dependence on road-based fuel transport.
Supreme Court Panel Pulls Up Assam Over Kaziranga Mining and Eco-Sensitive Zone
A Supreme Court-appointed committee has scrutinised the Assam government regarding illegal mining activities adjacent to the Kaziranga National Park. The scrutiny intensified following proposals to reduce the default 10 km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) buffer around the prime one-horned rhinoceros habitat, raising serious biodiversity conservation concerns.
Feedstock Sourcing Becomes Critical Lever for Compressed Bio-Gas Scaling
Industry experts highlighted that securing reliable feedstock sourcing is the most vital step to scale India's Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) ecosystem. Primary feedstocks such as agricultural residues (paddy and wheat straw), press mud from sugar mills, and cattle dung remain central to reducing stubble burning and meeting renewable natural gas targets.
DR Congo and M23 Rebels Agree on Roadmap for Peace Negotiations
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 rebel group have reached a consensus on a sequenced roadmap for peace talks under the Doha Framework Agreement. The agreement aims to de-escalate persistent conflict in the mineral-rich eastern region of DR Congo, which has displaced millions and caused regional instability.
ICMR Reassures Public on Circulating H1N1 Strains and Vaccine Efficacy
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed that there are no new mutant strains of the H1N1 influenza virus circulating in the country. The health research body affirmed that current influenza strains match existing seasonal vaccines and emphasized that the infection is largely self-limiting, though vulnerable groups require monitoring.
Gaganyaan Mission Outlines Advanced Crew Escape System Design
Details regarding the safety mechanisms for ISRO's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission highlighted the high-thrust 'puller' design of the Crew Escape System (CES). The system is engineered to detect launch vehicle anomalies within milliseconds and rapidly propel the crew module to a safe distance from a failing rocket.
Debates Intensify Over FDI Framework for E-Commerce Inventory Exports
Policy experts and trade bodies have called for a comprehensive review of foreign direct investment (FDI) rules governing e-commerce. While recent norms permitted FDI in inventory-based models strictly meant for exports, industry analysts argue that fragmented liberalization creates regulatory friction and inhibits full export potential.
Concerns Highlighted Over Biometric Facial Recognition at Protest Sites
Legal and human rights analysts have raised red flags over the increasing deployment of automated facial recognition technology (AFRT) by law enforcement at peaceful protest venues. The practice has ignited debates around civil liberties, the right to privacy under Article 21, and the necessity of statutory safeguards for biometric surveillance.
Daily News Quiz
Test your knowledge about today's current affairs with 7 questions.