RBI has introduced a cap on banks’ NOP in Indian rupee, limiting it to $100 million at the end of each business day. 

• This is far lower than earlier limit of 25% of bank’s total capital.

About NOP 

• It represents the difference between a bank’s foreign currency assets and liabilities.
  • It reflects the extent of a bank’s exposure to currency fluctuations and a higher NOP indicates a larger exposure on the currency.

The Indian Navy hosted IONS Maritime Exercise (IMEX) Table Top Exercise (TTX) 2026 in Kochi.

About IONS (Indian Ocean Naval Symposium)

• IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
• Chairmanship: Chair of IONS is rotated every two years amongst members with consensus on selection of Chair. 
  • India has assumed the Chairmanship of IONS in 2026.
• Members: A nation state with permanently held territory that abuts or lies within the Indian Ocean can become a member. 
  • Presently, it has 25 members including India. 

Intensive hunting of adults and eggs has caused a dramatic decline in population and habitat of Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle.

About Red Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur Kachuga)

• Large riverine turtle historically found in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
  • Currently found only in Ganga River basin, especially in Chambal River basin.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red list: Critically Endangered.
  • Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
  • CITES: Appendix I.
• Key features: 
  • Sexual dimorphism: Males are smaller than females.
    • In the breeding season, the heads and necks of male turtles exhibit bright red, yellow and blue coloration.
  • Significance: Bio-indicator of river health and nutrient recycling.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has extended subsidies for electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) and electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws) under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme.

About PM E-Drive

• Launched in 2024.
• Outlay: Rs.10,900 crore.
• Objective: To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), establish charging infrastructure, and build a robust EV manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
• Key Components: 
  • Subsidies: Demand incentives to be provided for e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-Ambulances, e-Trucks and other emerging EV categories. 
  • Grants for creation of capital assets: Funding for acquisition of e-buses, establishment of comprehensive network of charging stations, and upgrading testing facilities.
• Implementation Agency: Ministry of Heavy Industries.

First Meeting of BRIC-Research Advisory Board (BRIC-RAB) was held. 

• BRIC-RAB is responsible for guiding, reviewing, and monitoring research activities conducted by BRIC Institutes (iBRIC). 

About BRIC

• Apex Autonomous Body established in 2023 as registered Society, formed by subsuming 14 Autonomous Institutes of Department of Biotechnology (DBT). 
• Functions: Integrate multi-disciplinary research, training, and innovation programs operational across various DBT institutions; Implementing cabinet approval accorded to DBT, etc.
• Recent Initiatives: ‘One Day One Genome’ to highlight microbial potential of India.

Recently, Russia's Baltic Ust-Luga port was ​damaged by a Ukrainian drone attack.

About Ust-Luga Port

• Location: Luga Bay in Gulf of Finland. 
• Significance: Multi-purpose, primarily dealing with export of energy resources, serves as final point of Baltic Pipeline System-II (BTS-II).
• Other ports in Russia: Primorsk; Kaliningrad; Vladivostok; St. Petersburg; Murmansk (Arctic), etc. 

WWF India, in collaboration with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change observed Earth Hour and marked its 20 years. 

About Earth Hour

• Gensis: 2007 in Australia and emerged as biggest global grassroots movement for environment, uniting people from over 190 countries and territories. 
• Key Features: Known for symbolic “lights off” in support of the planet. 
• Initiative of: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). 
• Celebrated: Annually on last Saturday of March from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm. 

Recently, Iran destroyed USA’s E-3 Sentry aircraft, an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. 

• AWACS is a mobile, long-range radar surveillance and control centre for air defence.