JULY 13,2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
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AI Governance Imperativ The UN''s Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI warns that the rapid advancement of AI is outpacing current scientific understanding, safety guardrails, and global governance mechanisms. Key concerns raised in Report » The Compute Divide: The US and China control 90% of global AI computing power, risking the exclusion of developing nations like India and making them mere consumers. » Loss of Control: Highly autonomous "agentic AI" models are outpacing oversight, creating massive cybersecurity vulnerabilities and real risks of society losing control over these systems. » Democratic Threats:AI deepfakes and persuasion algorithms are eroding shared truth, amplifying disinformation, and interfering in global elections. » Human & Child Safety: There has been an exponential rise in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
» Linguistic Bias: AI models are optimized for a few dominant languages; applying these tools to underrepresented languages can be life-threatening. E.g. mistranslation in medical field. Recommendations of the UN Panel » Build Local Capacity: Proactively invest in domestic AI computing infrastructure and talent to build sovereign AI capabilities worldwide. » Regulate System Architecture: Shift governance away from simply moderating content to regulating the underlying architecture and behavioral design of AI systems. » Independent Testing: Stop relying on corporate goodwill and mandate independent, third-party capability and risk assessments. » Enforce Human Rights: Apply established human rights and child rights impact assessments across the entire AI lifecycle (design, deployment, and auditing). » United Nations-Based Platform: Maintain a continuous, universally inclusive platform for structured dialogue between AI developers, member states, and scientists to coordinate global safety standards. |
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Astronauts of Bharat ISRO successfully carried out tests of Gaganyaan crew module systems. » Crew Module (CM): The habitable space of the Gaganyaan Orbital Module that provides an Earth-like environment for astronauts. Gaganyaan Mission » India''s first human spaceflight mission by ISRO.
» Objective: Demonstrate India''s human spaceflight capability by sending 3 astronauts to 400 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for 3 days and safely recover them in the sea. » Launch Vehicle: Human-Rated LVM3 (HLVM3). |
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Element of Lightness China has imposed a temporary export ban on helium. Helium » A colourless, odourless, non-toxic, non-flammable, inert noble gas and the second-lightest element in the periodic table. » Occurrence: Non-renewable; formed by radioactive decay of uranium and thorium and extracted mainly from natural gas. » Key Property: It has lowest boiling point among all elements. » Uses: MRI scanners, semiconductor fabrication, optical fibre manufacturing, quantum computing, leak detection, in rockets fuel system, etc. » Major producers: United States and Qatar |
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Empowering Micro Food Enterprises » PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme surpassed 2 lakh credit-linked beneficiaries » Over 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises received credit-linked assistance, leveraging ₹20,300+ crore in investments. » Nearly 90% beneficiaries are first-generation entrepreneurs, 44% are women, and 75,000+ enterprises have been formalised through Udyam, FSSAI and GST registrations. PMFME Scheme » Launched in 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. » Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (2020–21 to 2025–26) with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore. » Ministry: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) » Objective: Formalise and enhance the competitiveness of micro food processing enterprises through financial, technical and business support. Key Features: » Credit-linked subsidy:35% of eligible project cost (maximum ₹10 lakh per unit) for upgradation/setting up of enterprises. » ODOP (One District One Product) approach: Promotes district-specific products through value addition, branding and market linkages. » Support to SHGs, FPOs & Cooperatives: Seed capital for SHGs, credit support, capacity building and group-based enterprises. » Branding & Marketing Support: Common branding, packaging, quality certification and market linkages for ODOP products. |
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Empowering Rural Artisans » Scientists have identified the deadly Parrot Bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) in India for the eSaras has emerged as an important digital commerce platform supporting rural entrepreneurship. eSaras » It is the official e-commerce platform of the Ministry of Rural Development under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). » It connects rural women-led Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises with customers across India, offering authentic handcrafted products, handlooms, natural foods, home décor, etc. |
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Green Infrastructure of India » A new study, for the first time, quantified the actual worth of India''s forests on a comprehensive national scale. » The study reveals that Indian forests generate "invisible wealth" that is equivalent to nearly two-thirds of India''s formal economy. Key Findings of Study » India''s forest ecosystem services were worth US$2.5 trillion annually (2023 constant prices). » Tropical dry deciduous forests contribute the maximum annual value of US$703 billion, followed by Mangrove forests. » Tropical dry deciduous forests account for the largest proportion of India''s forest cover. » The average value of cultural services is greater than provisioning services and regulating services. (refer infographic for types of ecosystem services). Challenges Highlighted » Population Pressure: A 1% increase in population density is associated with a 11.3% decrease in the value of forest ecosystem services. » Quality Over Quantity: A monoculture plantation counts as forest cover in official statistics but delivers a fraction of the ecosystem services of a natural mixed-species stand. » Flawed Compensation Models: E.g., Net Present Value (NPV) under-represent the full economic cost of lost regulating and cultural services. » Accounting Gaps: Failed to integrate forest ecosystem services into India''s national income accounts. » The study recommended strengthening Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to prioritize ecologically important forests and expanding Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) to incentivize biodiversity conservation. |
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Heritage Leather Art The Centre has granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to the nearly 200-year-old Jodhpuri Mojari craft. Jodhpuri Mojari » A traditional handcrafted leather footwear from Jodhpur, Rajasthan. » Known for: Fine leather craftsmanship, Intricate embroidery and decorative patterns, Curved toe design and durability. » Crafted primarily by the Jinagar (Jingar) community. GI Tag » It is an intellectual property right granted to products whose quality, reputation, or characteristics are essentially linked to their geographical origin. » Governed under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. » Registration is administered by the GI Registry, Chennai. » Valid for 10 years and can be renewed. |
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India’s Hydrogen Rail Milestone » The Prime Minister will flag off India''s first green hydrogen-powered train on July 17, 2026, from Jind, Haryana as a significant transition towards green and zero-emission transport. » Green Hydrogen: A zero-emission fuel created by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, such as solar or wind. » "Hydrogen for Heritage" Project: A 2023 Indian Railways initiative to deploy 35 hydrogen trains on ecologically sensitive and scenic routes (costing ₹80 crores per train and ₹70 crores per route). Significance for India » Green Transport: Enables zero-emission rail transport and a clean alternative for non-electrified routes by replacing diesel engines. » Climate Action: Supports India’s Net Zero 2070 and rail decarbonization by 2030. » Hydrogen Economy: Boosts the National Green Hydrogen Mission of 2023. » Energy Security: Reduces fossil fuel imports and promotes indigenous hydrogen technology to achieve goal of energy independence by 2047. Challenges of Hydrogen Fuel » High Costs Technology: Green hydrogen and fuel cell technologies remain expensive. » Hydrogen Storage: Requires storage at very high pressure or cryogenic temperatures, increasing costs and safety requirements. » Infrastructure: Limited hydrogen production, transportation and refuelling facilities in India. » Energy Efficiency: Converting electricity into hydrogen and back into electricity leads to energy losses compared to direct railway electrification. » Safety Concerns: Hydrogen is highly flammable and requires specialised storage, handling and monitoring systems. Working of Hydrogen Train » The train runs on hydrogen fuel cell technology instead of diesel or overhead electric wires. » Hydrogen stored onboard reacts with oxygen from the air inside the fuel cell, producing Electricity (to power the train), and Water vapour (as the only emission). » The fuel cell provides a constant power supply. » Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries store surplus electricity when power demand is low.
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Liquidity Absorption Tool RBI absorbed ₹1.67 lakh crore from banks through the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF). Standing Deposit Facility » It is a monetary policy tool introduced by the RBI in 2022 to absorb excess liquidity from the banking system. » It is a collateral-free liquidity absorption mechanism, unlike the Reverse Repo under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF). » The SDF primarily functions as an overnight facility and acts as the floor of the LAF corridor (25 basis points below the Repo Rate). » SDF deposits count toward meeting Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) requirements, but not Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR). » Eligibility Criteria: All liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) participants are eligible to participate in the SDF scheme. |
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Next-Gen Space Launch Japan''s space agency JAXA successfully conducted the first lift-off and landing test of its prototype reusable rocket. » SpaceX pioneered operational reusable rocket technology with its Falcon 9. » Recently, China also achieved its first successful reusable rocket landing. Reusable Rocket » Rocket is used to carry a spacecraft from Earth’s surface to space, and is sometimes called a launch vehicle. » Reusable Rocket is designed to recover and reuse some or all of its components (primarily the first-stage booster) after launch, instead of discarding them. » Benefits: Reusing rocket components significantly reduces launch costs, improves mission frequency, and enhances the sustainability of space missions. India''s Efforts » ISRO''s Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) programme aims to develop low-cost reusable space transportation. » RLV-LEX successfully demonstrated autonomous runway landing technology. |
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Tectonic Dynamics of Paizhen A study has found that an active fault line (Paizhen fault) beneath the world’s largest hydropower project on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet could affect its structural stability. Paizhen Fault » It is part of a network of tectonic faults in the eastern Himalayan region. » It is created by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. » It has remained active since the Early Pleistocene (Ice Age) and continues to exhibit strong activity during the present Holocene epoch. |
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Vietnam Headlines Vietnam (Capital: Hanoi) 15 Indian tourists were killed as speedboat capsized near Vietnam''s Phu Quoc Island. Political Features » Location: It occupies the eastern portion of mainland Southeast Asia. » Land Borders: China (North) and Cambodia and Laos (West). » Maritime boundaries: South China Sea (East and South) and Gulf of Thailand (Southwest). » Establishment: Socialist Republic of Vietnam was established in July 1976 after reunification in April 1975. » Political System: It is a one-party Communist state. Geographical Features: » Major rivers: Mekong River and Red (Hong) River.
» Mountain Range: Annam Cordillera, extending from northwest to southeast in central Vietnam. » Plateaus: Dac Lac Plateau, Kontum Plateau, Di Linh Plateau, etc. » Mineral deposits: Include large reserves of anthracite coal, lime, phosphates, etc. along with offshore oil deposits in South China Sea. |