MAY29,2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
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Banni Grasslands: A Fragile Landscape Under Threat NTPC’s proposed solar project in the Banni grasslands threatens fragile ecosystem. Banni Grasslands » Located in Kutch district of Gujarat, this is a unique salt-tolerant grassland ecosystem. » Asia’s largest tropical grassland, which has emerged from the sea due to tectonic activities. » Inhabited by various pastoral communities, such as the Maldharis, Rabaris, Mutwas, and Meghwals. » Strange light phenomena (Chir Batti or Ghost lights) are observed here where mysterious lights are observed on the flats after sunset. Chhari Dhand wetland in the grasslands is designated as a Ramsar site in 2026 |
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Climate Futures: Global Annual to Decadal Report (2026–2035) Key Details of the Update » Released by: World Meteorological Organization (WMO), produced by the UK''s Met Office. » Key Findings: o 2026-2030 global temperatures will range 1.3°C to 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels. o A 91% probability exists of temporarily exceeding 1.5°C before 2030. o Arctic winters will average 2.8°C warmer than recent historical baselines. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) » A specialized agency of the United Nations (UN). » Hq: Geneva, Switzerland » Mandate: Responsible for promoting international cooperation in meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and related geophysical sciences. » Members: 193 Members, including 187 Member States and 6 Territories |
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Demographic Turning Point: India’s Falling Fertility Rate India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, according to the recently released Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2024. What is the Total Fertility Rate? » It refers to the average number of children a woman would have over the end of her reproductive period (15-59 years). » Replacement Level Fertility: A TFR of about 2.1 children per woman is considered the replacement level, where each generation has enough children to replace itself, resulting in a stable population over time. o A TFR higher than 2.1 indicates a growing population, while a TFR below 2.1 generally indicates a shrinking and aging population. » High-TFR States: Bihar (2.9), Uttar Pradesh (2.6), Madhya Pradesh (2.4) » Low-TFR States/UTs: Delhi (1.2), Kerala (1.3), Tamil Nadu (1.3). » Reasons for Declining TFR in India: Increased women''s education, Family Planning Initiative, delayed marriage, etc. Implications of Declining Fertility Rate » Positive Impacts o Resource Conservation: Lower fertility reduces pressure on land, water, and other natural resources, supporting environmental sustainability. o Educational Efficiency: Fewer children can improve educational outcomes by increasing per-child resource availability without additional public spending. » Negative Impacts o Higher Dependency Ratio: Sustained low fertility increases the share of elderly people relative to the working-age population. o Labour Shortages: A shrinking workforce may reduce productivity, economic growth, and labour market stability. E.g., Korea, Japan, etc. o Migration Pressures: Ageing societies may rely more on immigration to fill workforce gaps. » Fauna: Home to nine Schedule-I species, including leopards, sloth bears and elephants. » Significance: Often called the ‘“lungs of central India”; catchment for Hasdeo River and Bango Dam; dispersal corridor for tigers; vital resource for tribal communities. |
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Dowry Deaths and the Struggle for Women’s Rights Nearly 16 women died every day due to dowry-related violence as revealed by the National Crime Record Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 report. » As per the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, dowry is “any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly, by one party to a marriage to the other party, at or before or any time after the marriage”. Current Status (as per NCRB 2024 Data) » Crime against women: Of 4,41,534 cases 27.2% cases were registered under ‘Cruelty by Husband or Relatives’. » Dowry deaths: Despite marginal long-term decline, India recorded 5,737 dowry deaths in 2024. » Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of cases (2,038), followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Related Legal Provisions » Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Criminalizes the act of giving, taking, or demanding dowry. » Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): Section 80 (formerly Section 304B of the IPC) strictly penalizes dowry deaths, while Section 85 (earlier IPC Section 498A) addresses cruelty by a husband or his relatives. » Domestic violence: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Enacted to protect women from domestic violence. » Evidentiary Backing: Section 118 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) (previously Section 113B of the Evidence Act, 1872) raises a presumption of guilt against the accused. Supreme Court Directions of 2025 » Supreme Court gave directions in the case of State Of U.P. V. Ajmal Beg as follows, » Appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers (DPOs) under Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. » Training for Officials: Police and judicial officers should periodically receive training. » Expeditious Disposal of Pending Cases: High Courts are requested to take stock of the number of cases. Other: Grassroots Awareness Programs by district administration, change in education curriculum for awareness. |
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Evaluating e-Governance: Insights from NeSDA Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, launched the Portal NeSDA, 2025. NeSDA 2025 » It is a biennial assessment framework by DARPG. » Based on Online Service Index of the UN e-Government Survey. » Objective: To measure effectiveness of e-Governance service delivery mechanisms from the citizen’s perspective. » All Government Portals assessed under NeSDA are classified into two categories, viz., (i) State, UT, City and Central Ministry Portals and (ii) State, UT, City and Central Ministry Service Portals. » Parameters: assesses multiple parameters across availability, accessibility and maturity of online service delivery across States, Union Territories and Central Ministries/Departments. Covers: G2C and G2B services across key sectors |
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From Earth to Orbit: Advancing Stem Cell Science in Space Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are continuing research efforts to manufacture large quantities of stem cells for therapies on Earth through the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Expansion in Space (InSPA-StemCellEX-H2) investigation. » InSPA-StemCellEX-H2 Investigation aims to demonstrate large-scale production of blood stem cells for pharmaceutical and clinical use. » Microgravity helps maintain stem cell quality during expansion, potentially increasing production efficiency and reducing the risk of rejection in patients. What are Stem Cells? » Stem cells are foundational cells from which all other specialized cells—such as blood cells, brain cells, and heart muscle cells—are generated. » Capacity for self-renewal: They possess the unique ability to divide and create identical copies of themselves. » Capacity for differentiation: They have the natural ability to transform into a variety of specialized cell types that perform different functions throughout the body. Types: o On the basis of Source: Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs), Adult/Somatic Stem Cells, Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), etc. o On the basis of Differentiation Potential: E.g., Totipotent cells (Able to differentiate into all possible cell types), Pluripotent cells (Differentiated into most tissues of body but are unable to produce all tissue), etc. |
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Hog Deer Conservation: Protecting a Vulnerable Species Recently an albino hog deer has been spotted in Kaziranga National Park. » Albinism is a rare, inherited genetic condition where the body produces little to no melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes. » About Hog Deer » It gets its name from the hog-like manner in which it runs. » Distribution: Found across the Indo-Gangetic plains and parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. » Conservation Status: o IUCN Red List: Endangered Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I protection in India |
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Kalai-II Wetlands: A Haven for the White-Bellied Heron Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has granted in-principle forest clearance to Kalai-II hydel project amid White-Bellied Heron concerns. Kalai-II Hydel Project » Location: Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh. » River: Lohit River (tributary of Brahmaputra). White- Bellied Heron » Other names: Imperial Heron, Great White-bellied Heron. » Current Range: Restricted to the southern foothills of the eastern Himalayas, primarily across Bhutan, Northeast India (Assam and Arunachal Pradesh), and Northern Myanmar. » The global population is perilously small, estimated to be less than 60 individuals, with the population in India being as low as 10 individuals. » Conservation Status: » IUCN Status: Critically Endangered. » WPA status: Schedule-I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. |
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Lokayan-26: Bridging Ideas and Action INS Sudarshini arrived at Antigua and Barbuda (a Caribbean Island) under Lokayan 2026/Lokayan26. Lokayana26 » It is a 10-month, 22,000 nautical miles transoceanic expedition spanning 13 countries and 18 ports. » Flagged off from Southern Naval Command, Kochi in January 2026. » Significance: Showcases India’s prominence in global maritime activities and vision of MAHASAGAR. INS Sudarshini » It is Indian Navy’s second indigenously-built Sail Training Ship after INS Tarangini » Built by Goa Shipyard Limited and based at Kochi. |
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The International Security Forum: Shaping a Safer World Recently National security advisor attended the 1st International security forum meeting in Russia 1st ISF » It was held in Moscow under the Security Council of the Russian Federation. » Participation: Representatives from 120 countries. » Objective: to address the global security challenges » Note: There is another ISF which was established as a nonprofit organisation in 2016 under the patronage of the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland. o Its primary focus via its annual summit is on transatlantic security, cooperation, and relations between Europe and North America. |
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The Role of Nickel in Modern Industry Supply uncertainty from the West Asia conflict has raised concerns over nickel availability. Nickel » Classified as a critical mineral by India. » Features: lustrous silvery-white metal with low thermal & electrical conductivities, etc. » Occurance: doesn’t occur in pure native state and is derived using mond process. » Mond process (or carbonyl process) is used to refine impure nickel into a highly pure metal through a unique two-step thermal decomposition method. » Applications: Electric Vehicles, Stainless steel making etc. » Global: Indonesia has largest resources ((42%) and Production (54%). » India: Entire demand is met through imports Largest resources: Found in Odisha (93%), followed by Jharkhand |
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Timely Justice in India: Confronting Court Delays President promulgated Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026 under Article 123 of Constitution; to increase Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38 (Including CJI) in the wake of increasing case pendency. » From Supreme Court existence on 26 January 1950 this is the 7th time that strength has been increased under section 2 of Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956. Current Status of Judicial Pendency (National Judicial Data Grid) » Supreme Court (SC): Nearly 93,000 cases, including 22 five-judge, 5 seven-judge and 2 nine-judge; Constitution Bench matters. » Subordinate Courts: The crisis deepens at the grassroots; High Courts carry over 6.4 million pending cases, while district courts are burdened with approximately 49 million. Causes of pendency » Non-linear Impact of Expansion: Historical judge expansions (2008 and 2019) indicate that merely increasing judicial numbers does not sustainably reduce the caseload as complexity of cases also rises. » Inadequate Judge/population ratio: India has just 21 judges per million people against the recommended fifty Judges per million (120th Report of Law Commission). » Dilution of Core Mandate: Routine admission of Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) under Article 136 has transformed the SC into a high-volume appellate. » Financial Constraints: India spends only 0.1% of GDP on judiciary. » Government as Litigator: Government responsible for around 50% of litigation. » Systemic Bottlenecks: Procedural delays at the admission, severe infrastructure and subordinate staff shortages etc. Government Initiatives » Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms: Settling disputes outside regular courts, reducing burden through Lok Adalats, Mediation, Arbitration etc. » National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms (NMJDLR- 2011): Reduction of arrears & delays. » Other: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Development of Infrastructure for Judiciary, Appointment of Ad-hoc Judges, e-Courts Mission Mode Project etc.
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Trauma Care as a Fundamental Right In SaveLIFE Foundation v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court recognized the Right to Trauma Care as an integral part of right to life under Article 21. » SC also direction for improving trauma care such as integration of all emergency helplines into 112, operationalisation of the PM RAHAT cashless treatment scheme and establishment of Good Samaritan grievance redressal systems. » Article 21 guarantees the fundamental right to protection of life and personal liberty. » Judicial interpretations have expanded it to include the right to privacy, clean environment, etc. Why Trauma Care matters? » India annually records nearly 4.67 lakh accidental deaths (NCRB). » Nearly half of road-crash fatalities could be avoided with timely medical intervention (The Law Commission''s 201st report). » Delays in emergency care contribute to at least 30% of trauma-related deaths. (NITI Aayog-AIIMS Emergency and Injury Care Report, 2021) o In farming sector, 10,546 persons (6.2%) accounted for total suicide victims. |
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Unlocking Lunar Secrets: Chandrayaan-2’s Ice Discovery Researchers from the Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad) made this discovery by analyzing data from the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter''s Dual-Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR). » DFSAR is the first fully polarimetric SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) designed to study the Moon. The Research » Research focused on doubly shadowed craters, e.g., Faustini crater, small craters inside larger permanently shadowed craters within permanently shadowed regions. o Permanently shadowed, these regions remain extremely cold (~ -248.15 degrees Celsius). » Key Evidence: Radar Signatures and lobate rim morphology of craters. o Lobate rim morphology refers to a crater rim that has a distinctive flow-like or lobed appearance Significance of the findings » In-Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU): Utilizing these local lunar resources means space agencies will not have to launch every kilogram of supplies from Earth at an enormous cost. E.g., drinking water, rocket fuel (water to be split in Hydrogen and oxygen) » Scientific Leadership: India is not just taking part in the lunar race; it is producing critical data that could influence future lunar mission. o It is in line with NASA led Artemis Accords (India has signed), which calls for transparent data sharing. Chandrayan 2 » Launched in 2019 using GSLV MkIII-M1 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. » Mission Components: o Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover: Designed for a soft landing in South Polar region. However, communication was lost o Payloads: had 8 payload on board- e.g., CHandra’s Atmospheric Compositional Explorer 2 (CHACE 2) which detected Argon 40, a noble gas in lunar exosphere Other Lunar Missions by India » Chandrayan 1: India''s first lunar probe, launched in 2008 » Chandrayan 3: Launched using LVM3 in 2023, comprising Propulsion module, Vikram lander and Pragyan Rover. o Made India first country to soft-land near lunar South Pole, and only fourth to achieve a lunar soft landing |