The Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas launched E85 fuel.

About E85 fuel

• E85 is a fuel blend containing 80–85% ethanol and 15–20% petrol.
• It is designed specifically for Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs).
  • FFVs are vehicles whose engines can operate on varying ethanol-petrol blends, from E20 up to E100 (100% ethanol).
• Significance:
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Enhances energy security by lowering crude oil imports.
  • Supports ethanol production fromagricultural feedstock, boosting farmers' incomes.

The RBI has announced that the full hedging cost will be borne until 30 September 2026 for Authorised Dealer (AD) banks on fresh 3–5 year Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR(B)) deposits.

• This will help in attracting foreign currency into India's banking system 

Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR(B)) deposits 

• These are fixed deposits that allow Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to hold their money in foreign currencies with Indian banks. 
• Unlike standard non-resident external (NRE) or non-resident ordinary (NRO) accounts, which are maintained in Indian rupees, FCNR(B) accounts can be held in currencies such as the US dollar, British pound, etc. 
• Interest is also paid in that foreign currency.
• Benefits for NRIs: Protects the depositor from currency depreciation risks.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) recently concluded its 58th meeting.

About MPC

• Constitution: Under section 45ZB of the RBI Act, 1934 (amended in 2016).
• Objective: Determine the policy repo rate to achieve the inflation target.
• Six members: Three from RBI and three appointed by the Central Government.
• Chairperson: RBI Governor (ex officio).
• Meetings: At least 4 times a year.
• Voting: Each member has one vote, the Governor has a casting vote (in case of equality of votes).

Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) has been awarded the Gold Award at the National Awards for e-Governance 2026 under the category of Digital Transformation through Data Analytics.

About Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 

• Flagship governance initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. 
• India’s first comprehensive data-driven framework for assessing Gram Panchayats. 
• Serves as a robust tool for evidence-based planning, performance monitoring and incentivisation of Panchayati Raj Institutions. 
• Covers 9 themes aligned with Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs)

Panchayats are classified into five performance categories based on composite scores: Achiever (90 and above), Front Runner (75 to below 90), Performer (60 to below 75), Aspirant (40 to below 60), and Beginner (below 40)

The Technology Development Board under the Department of Science and Technology has supported a project to establish a commercial-scale facility for producing Abhilasha Biofuels (ABF).

About ABF

• It is a 2nd Generation (2G) diesel-equivalent biofuel and renewable naphtha alternative.

• 2G biofuels are biofuels produced from non-food biomass, such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, crop stubble, sugarcane bagasse, rice straw, and other lignocellulosic materials.

• Also, it is a drop-in fuel that can directly replace conventional diesel without requiring any modification to existing engines, fuel systems, or fuel distribution infrastructure.

India’s shrimp exports faced export rejections in US, European Union and Japan markets due to presence of Chloramphenicol and nitrofurans.

• Both drugs are banned in all food-producing animal rearing systems.

About Chloramphenicol

• Antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial infections.
• Threats: Can cause aplastic anaemia in humans (even if in small concentrations).

About Nitrofurans

• Antibiotics used for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory purposes. 
• Threat: Banned due to persistence of their metabolites in animal tissue and their potential carcinogenicity.

Ukraine has struck five ships allegedly carrying illegal cargo in the Sea of Azov.

About Sea of Azov

• Location: Eastern Europe, between Russia (east) and Ukraine (north and west); Crimean Peninsula is on the west.
• It is connected to the Black Sea through the Kerch Strait.
• It is linked with Atlantic Ocean via Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea.
• Azov Sea is the shallowest sea in the world (average depth of only 7 meters (23 feet)).
• Low Salinity: Due to massive freshwater inflows from major rivers like the Don and Kuban.
• Key features: 113 km-long sandbar known as Arabat Spit
• Chief ports: Mariupol and Berdyansk(Ukrain), Yeysk and Taganrog(Russia).

Google's parent company Alphabet has proposed releasing 32 million Wolbachia-infected male mosquitoes in parts of Florida and California to reduce disease transmission by sterilizing wild Culex mosquitoes (West Nile virus).

• Only male mosquitoes are released because males do not bite humans.

About Wolbachia

• Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacterium found in many insect species.
• It also does not naturally occur in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the main carriers of dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. 

Working of Wolbachia

• Virus Blocking: Wolbachia prevents viruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya from multiplying inside mosquitoes, reducing disease transmission.
• Population Suppression: Non-viable eggs are produced when Wolbachia-infected males mate with uninfected females, lowering mosquito populations.