Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways unveiled the first export-import (EXIM) shipping container manufactured in India for global shipping major A.P. Moller–Maersk. 

• It aligns with Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS). 

About CMPS

• Genesis: Announced in Union Budget 2026 with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore.
• Aim: Creating globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem in India through financial incentives to support establishment and expansion of container manufacturing units. 
  • Envisages an annual manufacturing capacity boost by 10 times upto 7.5 lakh TEUs. 
• Ministry: Minister Of Ports, Shipping And Waterways. 

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approves capital acquisition for the procurement several weapon systems.

• DAC (chairman: Defense Minister) gives ‘in principle’ approval to Capital acquisitions in the Long Term Perspective Plan and Grants acceptance of necessity for acquisition proposals.

Key Weapon System Approved

• AKASH TARANG: Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Electronic Warfare System for the Indian Army.
  • Unlike hard kill it just disrupts the frequency, jamming GPS/GNSS and severs communication (soft kill) between the drone and operator. 
• Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM): Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries and DRDO with range over 70 km and is based on the Barak-8 missile. 
• Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS): To neutralize low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
  • It is an indigenously developed Man Portable Air Defence System.

Union Government directed to take down  apps associated with Battery Management System (BMS) over reports of misuse to remotely switch off some e-rickshaws. 

About BMS

• Essentially tracks the state of a battery, with primary aim of eliminating variations in performance of individual battery cells to allow them to work uniformly inside a battery pack. 
• It is incorporated in an electric vehicle (EV) powered with a large-capacity lithium ion battery, and plays a key role in extending the battery’s service life and ensuring its safe use. 
• Automotive is the largest segment for BMS with a 50% market share. 
• Many BMS units support Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users and service centres to monitor battery status through companion smartphone applications.

ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI), Kochi has discovered a new deep-sea fish ‘Cyttopsis indica’ (Indian dory) from the Arabian Sea off Kerala.

About Cyttopsis indica (Indian dory)

• It was found at depths of 350-500 metres along the continental slope of the eastern Lakshadweep Sea.
• The DNA analysis revealed a stark genetic divergence from all other known species in its genus, correcting a long-standing taxonomic error.
• Until now, the fish seen in the Indian Ocean was believed to be Cyttopsis rosea, a species with distribution now confined to the Atlantic Ocean.

The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Scheme is a focused initiative designed to empower entrepreneurs from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

About NSSH Scheme

• Launched: In 2016 under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
• Implementing Agency: National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).
• Objectives:
  • Provide professional support to SC/ST entrepreneurs.
  • Designed to help SC/ST enterprises meet the mandatory4% procurement sub-target under the Central Government Public Procurement Policy for MSEs, 2012.
  • Promote adoption of best business practices.
  • Leverage opportunities under the Stand-Up India initiative.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) convened an industry consultation on the Maritime Investment Fund (MIF), currently being established under Maritime Development Fund (MDF). 

About MDF

• Established in September 2025 with total corpus of ₹25,000 crore to address long-term financing requirements of maritime sector. 
• Two Components: 
  • Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) (₹20,000 crore): 
    • Contribution by Government of India is 49%, with balance mobilized from other institutional, public sector and private investors. 
  • Interest Incentivization Fund (IIF) (₹5,000 crore):  Funded entirely through budgetary support of Government of India.

World Bank (WB) elevated Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Philippines,  Jordan, and Micronesia to upper-middle income status. 

• India remains an Lower-Middle-Income Economy.

About WB Income Classification

• Methodology Used: GNI per capita measured in USD dollars — using the Atlas methodology. 
• Current Classification
  • Low-income economies: GNI $1,175 or less. 
  • lower middle-income economies: GNI between $1,176 and $4,635. 
  • upper middle-income economies: between $4,636 and $14,375.  
  • high-income economies:  More than $14,375.
• On July 1 each year, WB updates classifications estimates from previous calendar year. 
• Significance: Classifications inform which countries can access concessional loans and development assistance. 

Reliance Industries chairman and Bharti Enterprises founder have been named founding members of newly launched AI for Good Global Commission. 

About AI For Good Global Commission

• It brings together more than 40 Founding Members — including Heads of State and Government, industry CEOs and top executives, and Heads of UN agencies. 
• Purpose: Define practical pathways to strengthen trust, expand access and unlock AI's potential. 
• Led by: International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
  • ITU is the United Nations agency established in 1865. (Hq: Geneva, Switzerland).
  • It coordinates global use of radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, etc.