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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.
Unconditional Women Cash Transfer Programmes
Why in News?
- The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has released a working paper examining the impact of Unconditional Women Cash Transfer (UCT) Programmes in India.
- The study highlights the rapid expansion of such schemes across States and evaluates their role in promoting women's economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and household welfare.
What are Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCTs) to Women?
- Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCTs) are social welfare programmes under which direct monetary assistance is provided to eligible women without requiring them to fulfil specific conditions such as school attendance, health check-ups, or employment.
- These transfers aim to strengthen women's financial autonomy, improve household welfare, and reduce gender-based economic inequalities.
Objectives of Women-Centric UCTs
- Enhance women's economic empowerment.
- Improve household consumption and welfare.
- Promote financial inclusion through direct bank transfers.
- Strengthen women's decision-making power within households.
- Reduce poverty and gender disparities.
- Support inclusive and equitable social protection.
Status of Women Cash Transfer Programmes in India
1. Women-focused
- An UCTs have emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories of State-level welfare expenditure.
2. Between FY 2022–23 and FY 2025–26
-
This number of States implementing such programmes increased more than five-fold.
3. By FY 2025–26:
- More than 15 States had introduced women-focused cash transfer schemes.
- Nearly 12 crore women were covered.
- The estimated annual expenditure reached approximately ₹1.7 lakh crore.
Benefits of Unconditional Cash Transfers to Women
1. Improved Household Expenditure
- Evidence from the EAC-PM working paper indicates that cash transfers have contributed to increased household spending on essential needs.
- Maharashtra recorded approx 46% growth in household expenditure.
- Odisha witnessed an increase of about 28%.
- The additional income was largely directed towards Better nutrition, Healthcare, Education, Improved living standards.
2. Better Outcomes than Gender-Neutral Transfers
- Cash transfers specifically targeted at women have shown more positive outcomes than untargeted household transfers.
- Women generally allocate a larger share of resources toward productive household expenditure and savings.
3. Positive Intergenerational Benefits
- Women's spending patterns tend to prioritise long-term human capital development.
- Higher proportions of additional income are invested in Children's education, Nutrition, Healthcare, Household well-being.
- These investments contribute to improved developmental outcomes for future generations.
4. Greater Household Bargaining Power
- Direct ownership and control over financial resources strengthen women's role in household decision-making.
- Enhanced financial independence improves their bargaining position regarding Household expenditure, Children's education, Healthcare choices, Savings and investments.
5. Improved Development Outcomes
- Women-focused transfers contribute to broader socio-economic development by encouraging expenditure on Education, Nutrition, Preventive healthcare, Child welfare, Household resilience.
6. Financial Inclusion
- Most transfers are routed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms into bank accounts.
- This promotes Formal banking access, Digital financial inclusion, Greater transparency in welfare delivery.
Challenges Associated with Women-Centric UCTs
1. Fiscal Sustainability
- Expanding welfare expenditure places increasing pressure on State finances.
- According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the combined debt of States is projected to reach approximately 29.2% of GDP in 2025–26.
- Several States already have debt levels exceeding 30% of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
2. Crowding Out Development Expenditure
- Rising expenditure on cash transfer programmes may reduce fiscal space available for Physical infrastructure, Education, Healthcare, Capital investment, Social infrastructure.
3. Perception of Freebies
- UCTs are sometimes criticised as "freebies."
- Concerns include Potential political misuse, Creation of long-term dependency, Reduced emphasis on productive employment.
4. Inflation Erosion
- Fixed transfer amounts lose purchasing power over time due to inflation.
- Without periodic revisions, the real value of assistance declines.
5. Targeting Challenges
- Ensuring that benefits reach genuinely eligible women remains a challenge.
- Errors in inclusion and exclusion may reduce programme effectiveness.
Key Recommendations of the EAC-PM Working Paper
1. Periodic Revision of Transfer Amounts
- Benefit amounts should be revised regularly to account for inflation.
- Updating eligibility criteria can improve targeting efficiency.
2. Adopt a "Cash-Plus" Approach
- Cash transfers should be complemented with additional interventions such as Financial literacy programmes, Skill development, Employment opportunities, Healthcare services, Nutrition support, Social security measures.
- This integrated approach can promote long-term empowerment rather than short-term income support.
3. Continue Women-Focused UCTs
- The paper recommends treating women-centric cash transfers as an integral part of India's social protection architecture rather than temporary welfare measures.
4. Strengthen Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Greater use of Digital Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) can Reduce leakages, Lower transaction costs, Improve transparency, Ensure timely transfer of benefits directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts.
Global Best Practices
- Brazil – Bolsa Família, Mexico – Progresa/Oportunidades, Kenya – GiveDirectly
Cooperative Sector in India
Why in News?
- The Ministry of Cooperation, established on 6 July 2021, celebrated its 5th Foundation Day, reaffirming the vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation).
- The occasion highlighted the expanding role of cooperatives in promoting inclusive economic growth, rural development, and self-reliance.
What is the Cooperative Sector?
- A cooperative society is a voluntary association of individuals who come together to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs through a democratically managed enterprise.
- Cooperatives operate on the principles of mutual assistance, self-help, democratic decision-making, and equitable distribution of benefits.
- In India, cooperative societies are governed by the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, respective State Cooperative Societies Acts, and the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011, which granted constitutional status to cooperatives.
Current Status of Cooperatives in India
1. Global Presence
- India has nearly 8.58 lakh registered cooperative societies, accounting for more than one-fourth of the global cooperative network.
- These societies collectively serve around 32 crore active members, making India home to one of the world's largest cooperative movements.
2. Sectoral Composition
- Around 2 lakh credit cooperatives, including Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), and cooperative credit institutions.
- Nearly 6 lakh non-credit cooperatives engaged in Dair, Housing, Fisheries, Consumer services, Marketing, Agriculture, Handloom and handicrafts.
3. Regional Distribution
- The cooperative movement is unevenly distributed across the country.
- States in western and southern India have relatively stronger cooperative networks.
- Maharashtra alone accounts for nearly one-fourth of all registered cooperative societies.
4. Financial Footprint
- India has 1,469 Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs).
- Collectively, they manage assets worth approximately ₹7.38 trillion, accounting for nearly 3% of India's banking sector assets.
Future Vision
Under the National Cooperation Policy, 2025, India aims to:
- Triple the cooperative sector's contribution to GDP by 2034.
- Increase active cooperative membership to 50 crore people.
- Transform cooperatives into modern, technology-driven institutions supporting inclusive development.
Significance of the Cooperative Sector
1. Agricultural Credit
- The rural cooperative banking network provides nearly 9% of institutional agricultural credit.
- It plays an important role in ensuring timely availability of short-term credit, particularly for small and marginal farmers.
2. Dairy Sector
- Dairy cooperatives procure nearly 50% of organised milk production in India.
- Approximately 70–80% of the consumer price is returned directly to milk producers, enhancing rural incomes and strengthening farmer-owned value chains.
3. Support to Tribal Livelihoods
- The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) plays a pivotal role in implementing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme for Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
- It helps tribal communities receive remunerative prices for forest products while reducing exploitation by intermediaries.
4. Fertiliser Security
- Cooperative institutions account for nearly 29% of domestic fertiliser production and 35% of fertiliser distribution.
- Their presence enhances availability and affordability of agricultural inputs for farmers.
5. Affordable Urban Housing
- Cooperative housing societies manage nearly 20% of affordable urban housing.
- They offer cost-effective alternatives to private real estate and encourage community-based housing development.
6. Inclusive Economic Development
- Cooperatives contribute significantly by Generating employment, Promoting financial inclusion., Supporting rural entrepreneurship, Reducing regional disparities, Strengthening community participation in economic activities.
Challenges Facing the Cooperative Sector
1. Rising Non-Performing Assets (NPAs)
- Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) collectively hold NPAs worth approximately ₹72,550 crore.
- These account for nearly 50% of their outstanding loan portfolio, indicating serious financial stress.
2. Declining Share in Agricultural Credit
- The cooperative sector's share in institutional agricultural credit has declined sharply around 64% in 1992 and approximately 9% at present.
- Commercial banks have increasingly become the dominant source of rural credit.
3. Capital Constraints
- Existing regulations restrict cooperative shares from appreciating beyond their face value.
- This limits capital mobilisation and discourages external investment required for expansion and modernisation.
4. Non-Functional Primary Societies
- More than one-third of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) remain inactive because of financial weakness, poor governance, and operational inefficiencies.
5. Governance Issues
- Major governance concerns include Political interference, Weak professional management, Lack of accountability, Preferential credit allocation, Delays in loan recovery.
- These issues adversely affect the financial health and credibility of cooperatives.
Major Government Initiatives
1. National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL)
- Facilitates export of agricultural products produced by cooperative societies.
- Aggregates produce from grassroots cooperatives and connects them with international markets across 38 countries.
2. PACS Computerisation Project
- Digitisation of nearly 80,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.
- Introduces Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software for Transparent accounting, Digital record-keeping, Improved governance, Better service delivery.
3. Tax Reforms
- Reduction of the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) to 15% has improved tax parity between cooperative institutions and private companies, enhancing their competitiveness.
4. National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL)
- Supports Organic procurement, Certification, Branding, Marketing.
- Promotes the development of organised organic value chains through cooperatives.
5. Diversification of PACS
- Revised Model Bye-laws enable PACS to undertake more than 25 business activities, including Storage, Agricultural input distribution, Common Service Centres, Dairy, Fisheries, Rural retail, Food processing.
- This transforms PACS into multi-purpose rural service centres.
6. Tribhuvan Sahkari University
- India's first cooperative university dedicated to developing skilled professionals in Cooperative banking, Dairy management, Agricultural marketing, Cooperative governance.
- Aims to improve professionalism and reduce excessive dependence on politically appointed administrators.
Right to Vote: Should It Be a Fundamental Right?
Why in News?
The Opposition has renewed the demand to accord the Right to Vote the status of a Fundamental Right, reviving the debate on strengthening constitutional protection for electoral rights in India.
Right to Vote in India
Constitutional Basis
- The Right to Vote derives its constitutional foundation from Article 326 of the Constitution.
- It provides for universal adult suffrage, enabling every Indian citizen aged 18 years or above to be registered as a voter, unless disqualified under any law.
- Although the Constitution guarantees adult franchise, it does not classify voting as a Fundamental Right.
Statutory Basis
- The operational framework governing electoral rights is provided through the Representation of the People (RP) Acts:
- Representation of the People Act, 1950: Section 19: Specifies the qualifications for enrolment in the electoral roll.
- Representation of the People Act, 1951: Section 62: Prescribes eligibility and conditions for exercising the right to vote.
Thus, the actual exercise of voting remains a statutory right regulated by parliamentary legislation.
The Constitutional Paradox
1. Although voting
- It is itself is treated as a statutory right, several rights associated with the electoral process have been recognised as Fundamental Rights under Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression).
2. These include:
- Right to Know the background and assets of electoral candidates.
- Freedom to choose a candidate independently.
- Right to vote for NOTA (None of the Above) as an expression of electoral choice.
- Right to secrecy of the ballot, ensuring free and fair elections.
This creates a constitutional anomaly where aspects of voting enjoy stronger protection than the act of voting itself.
Why is There a Demand to Make the Right to Vote a Fundamental Right?
1. Stronger Judicial Protection
- If recognised as a Fundamental Right, citizens could directly approach the Supreme Court under Article 32 or High Courts under Article 226 to challenge arbitrary denial of voting rights.
- This would provide stronger constitutional safeguards against wrongful deletion of names from electoral rolls or unlawful voter disenfranchisement.
2. Strengthening Constitutional Democracy
- Universal adult franchise was one of the defining commitments of the Constituent Assembly.
- Granting Fundamental Right status would reinforce democratic participation as a core constitutional value and reflect the Constitution's evolving nature as a "living document."
3. Reinforcing the Basic Structure Doctrine
- The Supreme Court has consistently held that democracy, free and fair elections, and the rule of law form part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
- Constitutionalising the right to vote would further strengthen these foundational principles.
4. Promoting Inclusive Electoral Participation
- Fundamental Right status could facilitate stronger legal claims for Accessible voting facilities for persons with disabilities, Voting mechanisms for migrant workers.
- Greater electoral inclusion of eligible undertrial prisoners, subject to constitutional and legal considerations.
- Improved accessibility for senior citizens and remote voters.
5. Enhancing Democratic Sovereignty
- Voting is the principal means through which citizens exercise popular sovereignty.
- Recognising it as a Fundamental Right would affirm political participation as an essential component of individual dignity and constitutional citizenship.
6. International Constitutional Practice
- Several constitutional democracies explicitly protect voting rights as constitutional or fundamental rights, including United States and South Africa
- Granting similar protection would align India with evolving global democratic standards.
Arguments Against Granting Fundamental Right Status
1. Legislative Flexibility
- Electoral procedures require periodic changes based on administrative needs.
- Keeping voting as a statutory right allows Parliament greater flexibility in regulating elections.
2. Existing Constitutional Safeguards
- The Constitution already guarantees Universal adult suffrage under Article 326, Independent election management through the Election Commission of India (ECI), Judicial oversight of electoral disputes.
- Some argue that these mechanisms sufficiently protect electoral rights.
3. Potential Increase in Litigation
- Elevating voting to a Fundamental Right could substantially increase constitutional litigation relating to electoral rolls, voter eligibility, and polling procedures.
Important Supreme Court Judgments
1. N.P. Ponnuswami v. Returning Officer (1952)
- The Supreme Court held that electoral rights are purely statutory rights.
- Such rights exist only because Parliament has enacted election laws.
2. Jyoti Basu v. Debi Ghosal (1982)
- Reaffirmed that the right to vote and contest elections are statutory rights, not Fundamental Rights or common-law rights.
3. Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006)
- The Court again ruled that voting remains a statutory right, even though it derives constitutional support from Article 326.
4. Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023)
- While the principal issue concerned appointments to the Election Commission, a concurring opinion observed that the right to vote deserves stronger constitutional protection and suggested its possible recognition as a Fundamental Right in the future.
- Although not the binding ratio of the judgment, it reflects an evolving constitutional perspective.
Constitutional Provisions Related to Voting
|
Provision |
Subject |
|
Article 324 |
Superintendence, direction and control of elections vested in the Election Commission of India |
|
Article 325 |
One general electoral roll; prohibition of discrimination based on religion, race, caste or sex |
|
Article 326 |
Universal adult suffrage for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies |
|
Article 327 |
Parliament's power to legislate on elections |
|
Article 328 |
State Legislature's power to legislate on State elections (subject to parliamentary law) |
|
Article 329 |
Bar on judicial interference in electoral matters except through election petitions |
WhatsApp Username Feature
Why in News?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed Meta to temporarily suspend the rollout of WhatsApp's optional Username Feature in India, citing concerns over identity fraud, impersonation, and the misuse of digital identities.
What is the WhatsApp Username Feature?
1. The proposed
- The Username Feature allows WhatsApp users to create a unique alphanumeric username (handle) for their accounts.
2. Instead of sharing
- Their registered mobile numbers, users would be able to connect with others through these usernames.
3. The feature
- The aims to Enhance user privacy by masking phone numbers, Simplify user discovery and communication, Provide functionality similar to other messaging and social media platforms that use unique usernames.
4. Key Features
- Users can create a unique alphanumeric handle linked to their WhatsApp account.
- Communication can take place without revealing the registered mobile number.
- The feature is optional, allowing users to continue using phone numbers if they prefer.
- Each username is intended to be unique, preventing duplication.
Why Has the Rollout Been Paused?
1. Risk of Identity Impersonation
- Fraudsters could create usernames closely resembling those of Government departments, Banks, Companies, Public figures, Individuals.
- Such deceptive usernames may mislead users into believing they are interacting with legitimate entities.
2. Increase in Phishing Attacks
- Fake usernames could be exploited to conduct phishing campaigns.
- Users may unknowingly share sensitive information, including Banking credentials, One-Time Passwords (OTPs), Personal identification details.
3. Digital Arrest Scams
- Authorities have expressed concern that scammers may misuse official-looking usernames to facilitate "digital arrest" scams.
- In these frauds, victims are falsely informed that they are under investigation and are coerced into transferring money under the pretext of avoiding legal action.
4. Identity Spoofing
- Similar usernames may enable criminals to impersonate trusted individuals or organisations.
- This can undermine user confidence in digital communication platforms.
Legal Framework Governing the Issue (Information Technology Act, 2000)
1. Section 66C – Identity Theft
- Punishes fraudulent or dishonest use of another person's Electronic signature, Password, Unique identification information.
2. Section 66D – Cheating by Personation
- Provides punishment for cheating through impersonation using computer resources or communication devices.
- Frequently invoked in cases involving online fraud and cyber impersonation.
3. Section 79 – Safe Harbour Protection
- Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 grants "Safe Harbour" protection to internet intermediaries.
- It shields intermediaries from legal liability for third-party content hosted on their platforms, provided they comply with prescribed legal obligations.
Conditions for Protection
Safe Harbour protection is available only if intermediaries:
- Exercise due diligence.
- Comply with the provisions of the Information Technology Act.
- Follow applicable government rules and directions.
- Remove unlawful content when legally required.
- Failure to comply may result in the loss of Safe Harbour immunity, making the intermediary liable for unlawful activities occurring on its platform.
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
- These Rules prescribe due diligence obligations for intermediaries.
- Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs), owing to their large user base, are subject to additional compliance requirements.
- These include Appointment of Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person, Resident Grievance Officer.
- Timely removal of unlawful content.
- Enhanced user grievance redressal mechanisms.
- Cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
Why is WhatsApp Considered a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMI)?
- Due to its extensive user base in India, WhatsApp falls within the category of a Significant Social Media Intermediary (SSMI) under the IT Rules, 2021.
- Consequently, it must comply with enhanced due diligence obligations prescribed by the Government.
Potential Advantages of the Username Feature
- Protects users' mobile numbers from unnecessary disclosure.
- Enhances privacy during online communication.
- Reduces unsolicited calls and spam arising from phone number sharing.
- Facilitates easier user identification through memorable usernames.
- Aligns WhatsApp with privacy features available on other digital communication platforms.
Potential Risks
- Identity theft and impersonation.
- Phishing attacks.
- Financial fraud.
- Digital arrest scams.
- Fake institutional identities.
- Reduced public trust in digital communications.
- Increased cybercrime through deceptive usernames.
250th Anniversary of U.S. Independence (Semiquincentennial)
Why in News?
The United States commemorated the 250th anniversary of its Independence on 4 July 2026, marking the Semiquincentennial of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
What is the Semiquincentennial?
- The Semiquincentennial marks 250 years since the 13 American colonies declared their independence from the United Kingdom on 4 July 1776.
- It commemorates the birth of the United States as an independent nation and celebrates its constitutional and democratic heritage.
Declaration of Independence
1. Adopted on
- 4 July 1776 by the Second Continental Congress.
2. It formally announced
- That the 13 American colonies were no longer under British rule and had become "free and independent States."
3. Principal Author
- The Declaration was primarily drafted by Thomas Jefferson, with contributions from other members of the drafting committee.
4. Historical Significance
- Established the foundation for the creation of the United States of America.
- Asserted the colonies' right to self-governance.
- Justified separation from British rule by citing violations of colonial rights.
Road to American Independence
1. The Stamp Act (1765)
- The British Parliament imposed a direct tax on printed materials in the American colonies.
- Colonial opposition emerged under the slogan "No taxation without representation."
- The Act intensified resistance to British rule.
2. The Boston Tea Party (1773)
- American colonists protested British taxation by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.
- The event became a defining symbol of colonial resistance.
3. The Battles of Lexington and Concord (1775)
- Marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
- Represented the first armed conflict between British forces and colonial militias.
4. Declaration of Independence (4 July 1776)
- The Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration.
- The colonies officially proclaimed their separation from Britain.
Historical Importance
- The Declaration of Independence initiated the formation of one of the world's oldest constitutional democracies.
- Established enduring principles of representative government.
- Continues to influence constitutional law, democratic governance, and human rights discourse globally.
e-MERLIN Radio Telescope Array
Why in News?
- Astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), used the e-MERLIN radio telescope array to study nearby galaxies.
- The observations formed one of the first statistically complete, high-resolution radio surveys capable of detecting faint activity associated with supermassive black holes in nearby galaxies.
What is e-MERLIN?
- e-MERLIN (enhanced Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network) is a radio interferometer array comprising seven radio telescopes distributed across Great Britain.
- The telescopes are interconnected through a high-speed optical fibre network to a central processing facility at the Jodrell Bank Observatory.
- The array spans a maximum baseline of approximately 217 km, enabling observations with exceptionally high angular resolution.
- The array is operated from the Jodrell Bank Observatory in the United Kingdom.
Why are Radio Telescopes Important?
Unlike optical telescopes, radio telescopes can:
- Detect radio waves emitted by celestial objects.
- Observe regions hidden behind dense cosmic dust and gas.
- Study Cold interstellar gas, Star-forming regions, Pulsars, Supermassive black holes, Active galactic nuclei.
- This makes them indispensable for understanding processes that are invisible in optical wavelengths.
|
Optical Telescopes |
Radio Telescopes |
|
Detect visible light |
Detect radio waves |
|
Performance affected by dust and clouds |
Can observe through cosmic dust and gas |
|
Observe stars and planets in visible wavelengths |
Observe cold gas, pulsars, black holes, and radio galaxies |
|
Generally use mirrors or lenses |
Use large dish antennas and interferometry |
NASA's Swift Boost Mission
Why in News?
- NASA successfully launched the Swift Boost Mission, deploying the LINK robotic servicing spacecraft to prevent the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from prematurely re-entering Earth's atmosphere.
- The mission represents a significant advancement in on-orbit satellite servicing and sustainable space operations by extending the operational life of an existing scientific observatory.
What is the Swift Boost Mission?
1. The Swift Boost Mission
-
This is a NASA initiative designed to extend the operational lifespan of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
2. Instead of replacing the ageing observatory
-
The mission employs a robotic spacecraft to capture and reposition it into a higher orbit, thereby delaying orbital decay.
3. Objective
- Prevent the Swift Observatory from burning up due to atmospheric re-entry.
- Extend its scientific operations at significantly lower cost than launching a replacement.
- Demonstrate technologies for future on-orbit servicing and satellite life extension.
- Promote sustainable use of the space environment by reducing unnecessary satellite replacement.
LINK Spacecraft
- LINK is an autonomous robotic servicing spacecraft that functions as a space tug.
- It is designed to rendezvous with, capture, and reposition satellites already operating in orbit.
Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory
- The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was launched by NASA in 2004 in collaboration with the United Kingdom Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency.
- It operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
- The observatory is dedicated to studying gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and other high-energy astronomical phenomena.
Cape Verde (Republic of Cabo Verde)
Why in News?
Cape Verde gained international attention following its impressive performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the growing prominence of the island nation in global sports.
About Cape Verde
1. Cape Verde officially known as the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an archipelagic nation located in the central Atlantic Ocean.
2. It lies approximately 600 km west of Senegal, off the West African coast.
3. Despite its relatively small size, Cape Verde is recognised for its political stability, maritime location, and growing role in regional affairs.
4. Situated in the central Atlantic Ocean.
5. Forms part of the Macaronesia biogeographic region, along with the Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, and the Savage Islands.
6. Located off the western coastline of Africa.
7. Historical Background
- The islands were uninhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese.
- They were discovered and colonised by Portuguese explorers during the 15th century.
- Owing to its strategic Atlantic location, Cape Verde became an important centre for maritime trade during the colonial period.
8. Independence
- Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on 5 July 1975.
9. Political System
- Cape Verde functions as a parliamentary republic.
10 Capital
- The capital and largest city is Praia.
Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2026
Why in News?
- The Indian Navy's P-8I maritime patrol aircraft is participating in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2026, the world's largest multinational maritime exercise.
- The exercise provides an important platform for enhancing interoperability, maritime security cooperation, and collective preparedness among participating navies.
What is RIMPAC?
- Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is the world's largest international maritime military exercise.
- It brings together naval, air, and land forces from countries across the Indo-Pacific and beyond to strengthen maritime cooperation and operational interoperability.
- The exercise was first conducted in 1971.
RIMPAC 2026
- 30th edition of the RIMPAC Exercise.
- Theme – “Partners: Integrated and Prepared."
- Hosted by the United States Pacific Fleet (U.S. Pacific Fleet).
- Conducted in and around the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
- Held biennially, i.e., once every two years.
- Involves military forces from more than 30 countries.
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