7 July 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams.

Water Security in Rapidly Drying India

Why in News?

• India is witnessing an intensifying water security crisis, with several cities experiencing strict water rationing alongside prolonged heatwaves exceeding 42°C.
• The situation has been aggravated by a 40% rainfall deficit, making June 2026 one of the driest months recorded since 1901, highlighting growing concerns over water availability, groundwater depletion, and climate resilience.

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Extent of Water Insecurity in India

1. Declining Per Capita Water Availability

• India's per capita annual water availability has steadily declined due to rising population and finite freshwater resources.
• It decreased from 1,816 cubic metres (m³) in 2001 to around 1,400 m³ in 2025.
• If current trends continue, availability could approach the internationally recognised absolute water scarcity threshold of 1,000 m³ per person per year by 2050.

2. Rising Water Stress

• According to NITI Aayog, nearly 600 million people in India experience high to extreme water stress.
• Around 21 major cities are projected to face severe groundwater depletion, often described as reaching "Day Zero", where local water sources become critically inadequate.

3. Stress on River Basins

• A majority of India's major river basins are under increasing pressure.
• Eleven out of fifteen major river basins fall below the internationally accepted water stress threshold of 1,700 m³ per capita annually.
• Among them, the Krishna, Cauvery, Mahi, and Tapi basins have already crossed into the water scarcity category, with availability below 1,000 m³ per person.

4. Groundwater Over-Extraction

• Groundwater remains India's primary source of irrigation and drinking water.
• The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has identified 730 groundwater assessment units as over-exploited, indicating that groundwater extraction exceeds natural recharge.
• These critically stressed areas are concentrated mainly in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

5. Water Quality Concerns

• India continues to face serious challenges related to water pollution.
• A significant proportion of rivers, lakes, and other surface water bodies are contaminated due to untreated domestic sewage and industrial discharge.
• Poor water quality contributes substantially to the burden of water-borne diseases and preventable mortality.

6. Economic Implications

• Water scarcity poses a serious threat to India's long-term economic growth.
• NITI Aayog projects that national water demand may exceed available supply by 2030, potentially resulting in significant losses in agricultural output, industrial productivity, and overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

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Major Factors Driving Water Stress

1. Limited Freshwater Resources and Population Pressure

• India possesses approximately 4% of the world's freshwater resources, while supporting nearly 18% of the global population.
• This imbalance creates structural pressure on available water resources.

2. Unsustainable Groundwater Extraction

• Expansion of irrigation supported by subsidised or unmetered electricity has encouraged excessive groundwater pumping.
• The rapid increase in borewells has significantly accelerated groundwater depletion across many regions.

3. Excessive Groundwater Withdrawal

• India is among the world's largest users of groundwater.
• Annual groundwater extraction continues to exceed natural recharge in several assessment units, threatening long-term water security.

4. Water Pollution

• A substantial volume of municipal sewage and industrial wastewater remains untreated before entering rivers and lakes.
• Limited wastewater treatment capacity has resulted in widespread degradation of surface water quality.

5. Climate Change and Altered Rainfall Patterns

• Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme rainfall events.
• Intense short-duration rainfall generates rapid surface runoff instead of allowing gradual infiltration into aquifers, thereby reducing groundwater recharge.

6. Rising Urban and Industrial Demand

• Rapid urbanisation, industrial expansion, and emerging sectors such as data centres are increasing freshwater demand.
• This intensifies competition among domestic, industrial, agricultural, and ecological water requirements.

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Government Initiatives for Water Security

1. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

a. Objective

• To provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household.

b. Key Achievements

• Expanded access to safe drinking water across rural India.
• Improved household-level water security and public health outcomes.

2. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

a. Objective

• Improve irrigation efficiency and promote the principle of "Per Drop More Crop."

b. Key Components

• Financial support for Drip irrigation and Sprinkler irrigation.
• Encourages efficient water use in agriculture and reduces dependence on groundwater.

3. Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

a. Objective

• Promote community-led groundwater management in water-stressed regions.

b. Key Features

• Participatory preparation of village water security plans.
• Strengthening groundwater monitoring.
• Demand-side management of water resources.

4. Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari Initiative

a. Objective

• Enhance groundwater recharge through community participation.

b. Key Activities

• Construction of Check dams, Recharge pits, Farm ponds, Other rainwater harvesting structures.

5. Jal Shakti Abhiyan

a. Objective

• Improve water conservation through convergence of government programmes.
• Focus Areas: Rainwater harvesting, Watershed development, Groundwater recharge, Renovation of traditional water bodies.

6. Crop Diversification Initiatives

a. Objective

• Reduce groundwater-intensive agriculture.

b. Approach

• Encourage farmers to shift from water-intensive crops such as paddy towards Millets, Pulses, Horticultural crops.
• Promote climate-resilient and water-efficient farming systems.

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Challenges to Achieving Water Security

• Rapid depletion of groundwater reserves.
• Increasing pollution of rivers and lakes.
• Climate-induced variability in rainfall.
• Inefficient irrigation practices.
• Fragmented governance and institutional coordination.
• Low levels of wastewater recycling and reuse.
• Growing urban and industrial demand.
• Weak enforcement of groundwater regulations.

 

India–Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA)

Why in News?

• The India–Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA), signed in September 2025, came into force on 4 July 2026.
• The agreement replaces the 1996 India–Israel Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, establishing a modern framework for investment protection and promotion.
• It is also the first investment agreement signed by an OECD member country under India's revised Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) framework.

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About the India–Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA)

• The BIA aims to promote and safeguard bilateral investments by creating a transparent, predictable, and balanced legal framework for investors from both countries.
• It seeks to strengthen investor confidence while preserving each country's sovereign right to regulate in the public interest.
• The agreement reflects India's updated approach towards investment treaties under its revised Model BIT, designed to attract greater foreign investment without compromising regulatory autonomy.

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India's Revised Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Framework

• The Union Budget 2025–26 announced a revised Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) framework to replace the more restrictive 2015 Model BIT.
• The revised framework aims to make India's investment regime more attractive while balancing investor protection with the government's policy space.

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Major Features of the Revised Model BIT

1. Faster Access to International Arbitration

• Investors may initiate international arbitration after pursuing domestic legal remedies for three years, compared to five years under the 2015 Model BIT.
• This is intended to provide quicker dispute resolution and improve investor confidence.

2. Wider Investment Coverage

• The revised framework extends treaty protection beyond traditional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to include Shares and equity investments, Stocks, Bonds, Corporate debt instruments, Portfolio investments.

3. Exclusion of Taxation Matters

• Tax-related disputes remain outside the scope of investment arbitration.
• This preserves the sovereign authority of governments in fiscal policymaking.

4. Exclusion of the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) Clause

• The revised framework does not incorporate the MFN clause.
• This prevents investors from claiming more favourable treatment available under India's investment treaties with third countries, thereby reducing the possibility of treaty shopping.

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Key Features of the India–Israel Bilateral Investment Agreement

1. Broad Investment Protection

• The agreement provides protection for a wide range of investments, including Foreign Direct Investment, Shares and equity holdings, Stocks, Bonds, Corporate debt instruments.
• This broader coverage enhances legal certainty for investors.

2. Investor–State Dispute Settlement (ISDS)

• Investors may initiate international arbitration after exhausting domestic legal remedies for three years.
• This shortens the waiting period compared to the earlier Indian Model BIT and facilitates faster access to dispute resolution mechanisms.

3. National Treatment

• The agreement guarantees National Treatment, ensuring that foreign investors receive treatment no less favourable than domestic investors in similar circumstances.
• Exception: The protection does not extend to the land and real estate sector, allowing governments to retain flexibility in regulating these areas.

4. Preservation of Regulatory Sovereignty

• The agreement explicitly safeguards the right of governments to regulate in areas of legitimate public interest.
• These include Taxation, Public health, National security, Environmental protection, Public welfare and other regulatory objectives.
• This provision seeks to maintain an appropriate balance between investor protection and sovereign policymaking.

5. Measures Against Treaty Shopping

• To prevent misuse of investment treaty provisions, the agreement Restricts third-party funding in investor–state arbitration and Denies treaty benefits to shell companies lacking substantial business operations in either country.
• These provisions are intended to ensure that only genuine investors receive treaty protection.

6. Duration and Sunset Clause

• The agreement will remain in force for 10 years.
• Investments made during its validity will continue to receive treaty protection for an additional 10 years after termination under the Sunset Clause.

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Significance of the Agreement

1. For India

• Enhances India's attractiveness as an investment destination.
• Strengthens investor confidence through a predictable legal framework.
• Supports the objective of increasing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
• Demonstrates India's commitment to modernising its investment treaty architecture.
• Reinforces economic cooperation with advanced economies.

2. For Israel

• Provides greater legal certainty for Israeli investors operating in India.
• Facilitates long-term investment in sectors such as Technology, Defence manufacturing, Innovation, Infrastructure, Renewable energy.

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Strategic Importance

• Deepens the India–Israel Special Strategic Partnership.
• Encourages collaboration in high-technology industries and innovation-driven sectors.
• Supports resilient economic partnerships amid evolving global supply chains.
• Contributes to stronger bilateral economic integration.

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India–Israel Bilateral Relations

1. Evolution of Relations

Year	Milestone
1950	India recognised the State of Israel
1992	Establishment of full diplomatic relations
2017	Relations elevated to a Strategic Partnership
2026	Upgraded to a Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity

2. Economic and Trade Relations

• Israel is India's second-largest trading partner in Asia.
• Bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately USD 3.62 billion during FY 2024–25.

3. Defence Relations

• Defence remains one of the strongest pillars of bilateral relations.
• Key Areas of Cooperation: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), Missile systems, including Barak-8, Defence technology and research collaboration.
• Israel continues to be among India's leading defence suppliers.

4. Connectivity and Infrastructure

• Economic connectivity has expanded through initiatives such as the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• Acquisition of Haifa Port by Adani Ports in 2023, strengthening India's maritime connectivity in the Mediterranean region.

5. Minilateral Cooperation

• India and Israel cooperate through the I2U2 Group, comprising India, Israel, United States, United Arab Emirates.
• Priority Areas: Food security, Clean energy, Infrastructure, Technology, Connectivity, Innovation.

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Challenges

• Geopolitical instability in West Asia.
• Trade volume remains below potential.
• Need for greater diversification of investment.
• Complex regulatory procedures affecting investment flows.
• Balancing strategic partnerships amid changing regional dynamics.

 

Proposed Governance Model for Ladakh

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and representatives of Ladakh's civil society organisations have reached a consensus on a new self-governance framework for the Union Territory.
• Instead of granting full statehood or extending the Sixth Schedule, the proposed model seeks to provide Article 371-like constitutional safeguards to protect Ladakh's unique cultural identity, land rights, and local interests while introducing a democratically elected governance structure.

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Background

1. Since becoming a Union Territory in 2019

• The Ladakh has been administered directly by the Central Government through the Lieutenant Governor (LG) and the civil administration.

2. Local stakeholders have consistently demanded:

• Constitutional safeguards for land and employment.
• Greater political representation.
• Protection of tribal identity and culture.
• Enhanced local self-governance.
• The proposed governance model attempts to balance these aspirations with administrative and fiscal realities.

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Need for a New Governance Framework

1. Limited Fiscal Capacity

• Full statehood has been deferred due to Ladakh's limited internal revenue generation and continued dependence on central financial assistance.
• The proposed arrangement seeks to provide greater autonomy without imposing the financial responsibilities associated with statehood.

2. Protection of Local Identity

• There has been growing concern regarding the preservation of Tribal culture, Traditional land ownership, Local employment opportunities.
• Constitutional safeguards are intended to address these concerns while ensuring sustainable development.

3. Demand for Democratic Governance

• Ladakh currently lacks an elected legislative body at the Union Territory level.
• The proposed framework introduces a representative institution to strengthen democratic participation and local accountability.

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Key Features of the Proposed Governance Model

1. Establishment of an Elected Union Territory Body

• A democratically elected UT-level governing body is proposed to replace the existing predominantly bureaucratic administrative system.
• Powers of the Elected Body
• Executive powers to administer local governance.
• Legislative powers on specified subjects.
• Financial powers relating to budgeting and expenditure.
• This aims to provide greater autonomy in local decision-making.

2. Administrative Oversight

• The elected executive will be empowered to:
• Supervise government officials working within its jurisdiction.
• Review the performance appraisal of civil servants.
• Improve administrative accountability and responsiveness.
• This represents a significant shift towards locally accountable governance.

3. Article 371-like Constitutional Safeguards

• The proposed constitutional protections are intended to preserve Ladakh's unique socio-cultural and ecological character.
• Likely Areas of Protection
• Tribal customs and traditions.
• Ownership and transfer of land.
• Local employment opportunities.
• Cultural heritage and indigenous identity.
• These safeguards are expected to ensure that developmental activities remain aligned with local aspirations.

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Rationale for Choosing an Article 371-like Framework

1. Instead of extending

• The Sixth Schedule, the proposed model favours constitutional safeguards similar to those available under Article 371.

2. Reasons

• Greater flexibility within the existing constitutional framework.
• Protection of regional interests without creating Autonomous District Councils.
• Better integration with the Union Territory's administrative structure.
• Preservation of local autonomy while maintaining effective governance.

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Article 371: Special Constitutional Provisions

1. Articles 371 and 371A to 371J

•  The Articlesa is contained in Part XXI of the Constitution, provide special provisions for certain States.

2. These provisions recognise

• The unique historical, cultural, social, and developmental circumstances.

3. Objectives

• Protect tribal and indigenous communities.
• Preserve customary laws and traditional practices.
• Promote balanced regional development.
• Safeguard local resources and employment.
• Address historical and administrative disparities.

4. Key Features

• Operate through the existing State Legislature and Executive.
• Empower the President or Governor, depending on the State, to implement special constitutional arrangements.

5. Permit:

• Establishment of regional development boards.
• Protection of customary laws.
• Regulation of local resources.
• Measures for balanced regional development.

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Article 371 vs Sixth Schedule

Aspect	Article 371 Provisions	Sixth Schedule
Constitutional Basis	Articles 371–371J (Part XXI)	Sixth Schedule of the Constitution
Administrative Structure	Functions through the existing State Government	Creates Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)
Primary Objective	Protect regional interests, culture and development	Grant legislative and administrative autonomy to tribal areas
Governance	State Legislature and Executive remain central institutions	Autonomous Councils exercise legislative, executive and judicial powers over specified subjects
Coverage	Selected States with special constitutional provisions	Tribal areas in specified North-Eastern States

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States Covered under Article 371

• Maharashtra, Gujarat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka

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Significance of the Proposed Model

1. Strengthening Democratic Governance

• Introduces elected representation at the Union Territory level.
• Enhances local participation in policymaking.

2. Protection of Tribal Identity

• Provides constitutional safeguards for Ladakh's distinct cultural and social heritage.
• Preserves indigenous traditions and customary practices.

3. Balanced Development

• Facilitates locally responsive planning while ensuring continued central support.
• Encourages sustainable development suited to Ladakh's ecological and geographical conditions.

4. Administrative Accountability

• Enhances oversight of the civil administration through an elected executive.
• Improves transparency and responsiveness in governance.

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Challenges

• Defining the precise distribution of powers between the elected body and the Lieutenant Governor.
• Ensuring adequate financial autonomy for effective governance.
• Balancing national strategic interests with local aspirations.
• Providing robust constitutional safeguards without creating administrative ambiguity.
• Achieving broad political consensus on the proposed framework.

India's Fisheries Sector

Why in News?

• According to recent fisheries stock assessments, 91.1% of the 135 fish stocks evaluated across different marine regions during 2022 were found to be biologically sustainable.
• The findings highlight the importance of adopting sustainable fisheries management while strengthening India's rapidly growing fisheries and aquaculture sector.

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Overview of India's Fisheries Sector

1. India is the

• A second-largest fish-producing country in the world, contributing approximately 8% of global fish productio

2. The fisheries sector has emerged as one of the fastest-growing components of Indian agriculture, playing a vital role in:

• Food and nutritional security.
• Employment generation.
• Rural livelihoods.
• Export earnings.
• Blue Economy development.

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Current Status of the Fisheries Sector

• India ranks second globally in fish production.
• It contributes around 8% of global fish output.
• Fisheries account for approximately 7.43% of the Agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA).
• Among agriculture and allied activities, it is one of the highest-performing sectors in terms of value addition.
• Fish production has recorded remarkable growth over the last decade.
• Total production increased from approximately 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013–14 to nearly 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024–25.
• This represents an increase of over 100%, reflecting rapid expansion in inland fisheries and aquaculture.

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Government Initiatives for Fisheries Development

1. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• Objective: Promote sustainable and inclusive development of fisheries and aquaculture.
• Key Focus Areas: Modern aquaculture, Infrastructure development, Fish production enhancement, Export promotion, Value chain strengthening.

2. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY)

• A Central Sector sub-scheme under PMMSY.
• Implemented during 2023–24 to 2026–27.
• Objectives: Formalisation of the fisheries sector, Enhancement of fish productivity, Digitalisation of fisheries value chains, Strengthening market linkages.

3. Kisan Credit Card (KCC) for Fisheries

• The government has expanded institutional credit support for fishers.
• Key Provision: Lending limit increased from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh for fisheries and allied activities.
• This facilitates easier access to affordable working capital.

4. Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)

• Purpose: Promote investment in fisheries infrastructure.
• Key Features: Credit guarantee support, Interest subvention on eligible loans.
• Financial assistance for Hatcheries, Cold storage, Fish processing units, Fishing harbours, Aquaculture infrastructure.

5. Sustainable Fisheries Management

• The Government has introduced Rules and Guidelines for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and High Seas (2025).
• The guidelines aim to Promote responsible fishing, Prevent over-exploitation, Conserve marine biodiversity, Encourage scientific fisheries management.

6. Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)

• Role: Promote seafood exports, Improve quality standards, Facilitate international market access, Support exporters through certification, training, and infrastructure development.

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Challenges Ahead

• Overfishing in coastal waters.
• Habitat degradation.
• Climate change impacts.
• Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Weak scientific stock assessment.
• Limited value addition.
• Inadequate cold-chain infrastructure.
• Marine pollution.

Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

Why in News?

• Large Hadron Collider (LHC) entered Long Shutdown 3 (LS3) in 2026, initiating a four-year modernisation programme involving an investment of approximately 1.2 billion Swiss Francs.
• During this period, nearly 1.2 km of accelerator components will be upgraded.
• The upgraded facility is scheduled to resume operations in 2030 as the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), enabling significantly higher collision rates and more precise exploration of fundamental particles.

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What is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

1. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

•  The LHC is the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator.

2. It is operated

•  Operated by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

3. The accelerator

• It is located in a 27-km circular underground tunnel, approximately 100 metres below the surface, along the France–Switzerland border.

4. Objectives of the LHC

• Studying the properties of elementary particles.
• Recreating conditions that existed immediately after the Big Bang.
• Producing and analysing the quark-gluon plasma.
• Searching for evidence of dark matter.
• Exploring the possibility of extra spatial dimensions.
• Investigating the origin of matter–antimatter asymmetry in the Universe.
• Testing predictions of the Standard Model of Particle Physics and searching for physics beyond it.

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How Does the LHC Work?

1. Particle Acceleration

• The LHC accelerates two beams of protons in opposite directions around the circular accelerator.
• These proton beams travel at approximately 99.9999991% of the speed of light.

2. Particle Collisions

• Powerful superconducting magnets steer and focus the beams.
• At designated isnteraction points, the beams collide, generating extremely high energies.
• These collisions recreate conditions similar to those prevailing fractions of a second after the Big Bang, allowing scientists to study fundamental particles.

3. Major Particle Detectors

• The collisions are recorded and analysed by four principal detectors: ATLAS (A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS), CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid), ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment), LHCb (Large Hadron Collider beauty experiment)
• Each detector is designed to investigate different aspects of particle interactions.

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Key Technologies Used in the LHC

1. Superconducting Magnets

• The LHC employs 1,232 superconducting dipole magnets.
• These magnets generate magnetic fields approximately 100,000 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field.
• Their function is to guide and focus the high-speed proton beams along the accelerator ring.

2. Superfluid Helium Cooling

• The superconducting magnets are cooled using superfluid helium.
• Operating temperature is maintained at approximately 1.9 Kelvin (-271.3°C).

3. Significance

• This temperature is colder than outer space.
• It enables the magnets to achieve superconductivity, allowing them to conduct electricity with virtually zero resistance.

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High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC)

1. What is HL-LHC?

• The High-Luminosity LHC is the upgraded version of the existing accelerator.
• It is expected to begin operations in 2030 after completion of Long Shutdown 3 (LS3).

2. Major Objectives

• Increase the particle collision rate by approximately ten times.
• Collect significantly larger datasets.
• Improve measurement precision.
• Enhance the probability of observing extremely rare particle interactions.

3. Expected Scientific Outcomes

• Production of nearly 380 million Higgs bosons over its operational lifetime.
• By comparison, the current LHC has produced approximately 55 million Higgs bosons.
• The increased data will help scientists better understand fundamental forces and potentially discover new particles.

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Major Scientific Achievements of the LHC

1. Discovery of the Higgs Boson (2012)

• Scientists working on the ATLAS and CMS experiments confirmed the existence of the Higgs boson in 2012.

2. Significance

• Confirmed the existence of the Higgs field.
• Validated the mechanism through which elementary particles acquire mass.
• Completed the final missing component of the Standard Model of Particle Physics.

3. Precision Tests of the Standard Model

• The LHC has conducted extremely precise measurements of particle interactions.
• Experimental observations have consistently validated the Standard Model with sub-percent accuracy, while also searching for evidence of new physics.

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Higgs Boson

• The Higgs boson is an elementary particle associated with the Higgs field.
• Interaction with the Higgs field enables many fundamental particles to acquire mass.
• Only known fundamental particle with Zero quantum spin (Spin-0), No electric charge, No colour charge (does not participate in the strong nuclear interaction).
• Extremely unstable.
• Average lifetime is approximately 10⁻²² seconds, making it one of the shortest-lived known elementary particles.
• The Higgs boson was theoretically proposed in 1964 by a group of physicists led by Peter Higgs.
• Its existence was experimentally confirmed in 2012 at the Large Hadron Collider.

 

SOLVE Ground Test for Gaganyaan Mission

Why in News?

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the first ground test of the solid propulsion motor for the Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
• The successful test marks an important milestone in validating the crew escape and recovery systems for India's Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission.

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What is SOLVE?

• Sub-Orbital Launch Vehicle for Experiments (SOLVE) is a specialised and cost-effective sub-orbital test vehicle developed by ISRO.
• It is designed to evaluate and validate critical technologies required for the Gaganyaan Mission, particularly those related to crew module recovery and safe landing.
• Being a sub-orbital vehicle, SOLVE does not enter orbit but follows a ballistic trajectory before returning to Earth.

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Objectives of SOLVE

• Validate the performance of the Crew Module Recovery System.
• Test parachute deployment sequences under realistic flight conditions.
• Demonstrate safe separation of the Crew Module from the launch vehicle.
• Verify splashdown and recovery operations before crewed missions.
• Reduce technical risks associated with India's human spaceflight programme.

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Key Features of SOLVE

1. Sub-Orbital Flight Profile

• SOLVE carries the Crew Module to an altitude of approximately 10–17 km.
• After reaching the designated altitude, the Crew Module separates from the launch vehicle and begins its descent.

2. Parachute-Based Recovery System

• During descent, a sequence of 10 parachutes is deployed.
• The parachute system gradually reduces the velocity of the Crew Module to ensure a safe splashdown in the sea.
• Purpose: Minimise impact forces, Ensure astronaut safety during landing, Validate recovery procedures for future crewed missions.

3. Proven Propulsion System

• SOLVE uses a modified solid propulsion motor derived from the highly reliable strap-on boosters of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
• Modifications Include: Slow-burn solid propellant for controlled thrust generation, Straight nozzle configuration suited for sub-orbital missions, Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC) for improved flight control and trajectory management.

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Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC)

• Secondary Injection Thrust Vector Control (SITVC) is a technique used to control the direction of thrust in solid rocket motors.
• It works by injecting a fluid into the rocket nozzle exhaust stream, causing the exhaust flow to deflect and thereby changing the rocket's direction.
• Advantages: Provides precise steering without moving the nozzle, Enhances stability during flight., Improves trajectory accuracy, Particularly useful in large solid rocket motors.

Peru

Why in News?

Keiko Fujimori was officially declared the President of Peru.

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About Peru

• Peru is a megadiverse country situated along the western coast of South America.
• It is renowned for its rich biodiversity, varied landscapes, ancient civilizations, and abundant natural resources.
• The country's capital and largest city is Lima.
• Geographical Location: Ecuador to the north, Colombia to the north-east, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the south-east, Chile to the south, The Pacific Ocean lies along its western coastline.
• The cold Humboldt Current (also known as the Peru Current) flows northward along Peru's Pacific coast.
• Nevado Huascarán is Peru's highest mountain, rising to approximately 6,768 metres above sea level.  It is also recognised as the highest tropical mountain in the world. The peak lies within the Andes Mountain Range.
• Lake Titicaca is located on the border between Peru and Bolivia. It lies at an elevation of approximately 3,812 metres above sea level. Recognised as the world's highest navigable lake.
• The Amazon River originates in the Peruvian Andes. Its headwaters are fed by glacial melt originating near Nevado Mismi. The river subsequently flows eastward across Brazil before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.
• Acts as a gateway between the Pacific Ocean and the Amazon Basin.

 

Oldest Accurately Dated Banyan Tree

Why in News?

• A banyan tree located in Munger district of Bihar has been identified as the oldest accurately dated banyan tree using radiocarbon (Carbon-14) dating.
• The study marks a significant advancement in determining the age of tropical trees, which generally cannot be dated accurately through conventional tree-ring analysis.
• The Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) is recognised as the National Tree of India.

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Radiocarbon (Carbon-14) Dating

1. Radiocarbon dating:

• Also known as Carbon-14 (C-14) dating, is a scientific method used to estimate the age of organic materials.

2. It is based on:

• The radioactive decay of the naturally occurring isotope Carbon-14.

3. Principle:

• Living organisms continuously absorb Carbon-14 from the atmosphere during their lifetime.
• After death, Carbon-14 is no longer replenished and begins to decay at a predictable rate.
• By measuring the remaining amount of Carbon-14 in an organic sample, scientists can estimate the time elapsed since the organism ceased exchanging carbon with the environment.

4. Applications:

• Archaeology, Paleontology, Geology, Environmental sciences, Historical research, Ancient wood and plant studies.

5. Time Range:

• It can reliably determine the age of organic materials up to approximately 60,000 years.

 

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