A study identified five glacial lakes in the Kashmir Himalaya as highly susceptible to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
- These five lakes are Bramsar, Chirsar, Nundkok, Gangabal, and Bhagsar lakes.
About GLOFs
- It is the sudden release of water from a lake fed by glacier melt that has formed at the side, in front, within, beneath, or on the surface of a glacier. E.g. Kedarnath disaster (2013) and Dig Tsho (Nepal).
- Hazard Profile: They are sporadic but high-impact events capable of causing extensive downstream destruction as floodwaters often carry debris (rocks, soil, trees).
- Reasons: Rising temperatures, ice avalanches, extreme rainfall, landslides, and permafrost degradation can trigger GLOFs.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) released the Floating Solar Potential Assessment Report 2026.
Floating Solar Energy in India
- Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) systems are solar panels installed on water bodies such as reservoirs, lakes, ponds and dams instead of land.
- Total Floating Solar Potential: India has an estimated 102.18 GWp floating solar potential.
- Total Solar Potential: India's total assessed solar potential has increased to 3,445 GWp.
- India's installed solar power capacity increased from 2.8 GW in 2014 to 155 GW in 2026.
- Highest Potential State: Maharashtra with 16.28 GW potential, followed by Madhya Pradesh (14.89 GW) and Karnataka (13.69 GW).
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1 sourceThe Government of India has approved extension in validity of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0).
AboutCGSMFI-2.0
- Sponsored by: Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
- Objective: To provide guarantee coverage to eligible Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for financial assistance extended by them to Non-Banking Financial Company-Microfinance Institutions (NBFC-MFI) and MFIs for on-lending to small borrowers.
- Eligible borrowers: Existing or new small borrowers within the regulatory definition of micro finance as prescribed by RBI from time to time.
- Guarantee coverage: 80% of amount in default for small, 75% for medium and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/ MFIs.
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1 sourceThe Reserve Bank of India allowed banks to lend directly to REITs and InvITs.
About REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts)
- Definition: Companies that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate and raise capital by issuing shares to investors.
- Purpose: Enable investors to earn from real estate without directly buying or managing properties.
- Types: Equity REITs (rental income from owned properties), Mortgage REITs (interest income from mortgages/securities), and Hybrid REITs (combination).
About Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs)
- Definition: Collective investment vehicles that finance, own, operate and maintain infrastructure assets while pooling capital from investors.
- Purpose: Enable investors to earn income from infrastructure projects without directly owning or managing assets.
- Investment Areas: Roads, highways, telecom towers, airports, etc.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna), Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025 announced.
About Sangeet Natak Akademi
- Established:1953
- Nature: India's apex national institution for the preservation and promotion of music, dance and drama
- Ministry: Autonomous body under Ministry of Culture
- Legal Status: Registered as a Society under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- Chairman: Appointed by the President of India for a term of five years.
- Objective: Preservation, promotion and dissemination of India's intangible cultural heritage in the performing arts.
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1 sourceThe Centre has exempted excise duty on petrol blends containing 22%, 25%, 27%, and 30% ethanol.
- The move is aimed at strengthening India’s ethanol blending programme, which seeks to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, cut carbon emissions, and enhance demand for domestically produced ethanol.
About Ethanol Blending
- It is the process of ethanol with petrol to create a cleaner, more sustainable fuel.
- Ethanol (C2H5OH) is an anhydrous ethyl alcohol produced from sugarcane, maize, wheat, and other crops with high starch content.
- Government Programs to boost ethanol production:
- Ethanol Blended Petrol(EBP) Programme
- National Policy on Biofuels
- Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan - Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana
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India conducted the maiden test-flight of the country's first "Made in India" Airbus C295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara.
- The C295 India programme is the first instance of a military aircraft being manufactured in India by the private sector.
- 40 C295 aircraft to be build in India under partnership between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited for the Indian Air Force.
About Airbus C295 Aircraft
- It is a robust, reliable and highly versatile tactical transport aircraft.
- It is designed to meet the diverse needs of modern militaries, including tactical support, cargo support, surveillance, humanitarian aid and other tasks.
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The biggest FIFA World Cup to begin in Mexico.
About FIFA World Cup 2026
- Edition: 23rd edition of the men's FIFA World Cup.
- Historic Expanded Format
- Tri-Host Countries: For the first time in World Cup history, the tournament is co-hosted by three sovereign nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
- Expanded Teams: Features a record 48 nations (up from 32 teams in previous editions), divided into 12 groups of four teams each.
- Mascots: 3 official characters representing the three hosts:
- Maple the Moose (Canada)
- Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico)
- Clutch the Bald Eagle (United States)
- India has only qualified for the FIFA World Cup once (1950 in Brazil), but ultimately did not participate.
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