Current Affairs 25 August 2026

India Launches First Non-GMO High-Expansion Popcorn Maize Hybrid Seed in Andhra Pradesh

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched India’s first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed at Musunuru in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh, on 24 August 2026. The initiative is aimed at promoting indigenous seed technology and reducing dependence on imported hybrid technology for high-quality popcorn maize.

The hybrid seed is associated with Gourmet Popcornica, an Andhra Pradesh-based enterprise working with farmers in popcorn maize cultivation and processing. According to the Vice-President, the indigenous hybrid supports the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening domestic agricultural innovation and conserving foreign exchange. More than 17,500 farmers across eight States, cultivating nearly 40,000 acres, are associated with Gourmet Popcornica.

UPI Completes 10 Years of Digital Payments Revolution

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completed 10 years in August 2026. UPI was launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on 25 August 2016 under the regulatory oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

UPI has become the backbone of India’s digital payments ecosystem. Annual transaction volume increased from 1.78 crore transactions in FY 2016–17 to more than 24,162 crore transactions in FY 2025–26. During the same period, transaction value rose from ₹0.07 lakh crore to around ₹314 lakh crore.

In July 2026, UPI recorded its highest-ever monthly volume of 2,366 crore transactions, with a transaction value of ₹29.88 lakh crore. As of July 2026, 741 banks were live on the UPI platform.

UPI accounted for around 84% of India’s digital payments in FY 2025–26 and nearly 49% of global real-time payment transaction volume in 2025. It is currently operational in 11 countries, including the UAE, France, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Singapore, Mauritius, Qatar, Cambodia, Greece and Maldives.

Union govt issued First Guidelines for Planned Re-entry of Space Objects

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has issued India’s first guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects, establishing safety and regulatory requirements for satellites, rocket stages and other objects intentionally brought back to Earth. The Indian Space Policy 2023 already authorises IN-SPACe to regulate planned re-entry of space objects.

Guidelines

• These are India’s first guidelines specifically for planned re-entry.
• Indian Space Policy 2023 empowers IN-SPACe to authorise planned re-entry.
• Maximum acceptable expected casualty risk: less than 1 in 10,000.
• Planned re-entry requires IN-SPACe authorisation.
• Re-entry parameters are re-verified about three months before operation.
• Post-launch decision for planned re-entry: application at least six months in advance.
• Operators must also obtain an IN-SPACe advisory for warnings to aircraft and marine vessels at least 45 days before re-entry.
• The guidelines strengthen space sustainability, public safety and accountability of private space operators.

India Restores 21.76 Million Hectares of Degraded Land

India restored 21.76 million hectares of degraded and deforested land during 2011–2020, generating around 1.22 billion person-days of employment, according to India’s Second Progress Report on the Bonn Challenge.

Under the Bonn Challenge, India has committed to restore 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030. The Bonn Challenge is a global restoration initiative launched in 2011, with a global target of bringing 350 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes under restoration by 2030.

India is pursuing restoration through programmes such as the Green India Mission, CAMPA-supported afforestation, watershed development, agroforestry and community-based restoration. At COP17, India also highlighted financing mechanisms such as Sovereign Green Bonds, the Green Credit Programme and compensatory afforestation funds for land restoration and drought resilience.

Key Points for Exams:

• UNCCD COP17 was held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• Bonn Challenge launched in 2011.
• Global Bonn Challenge target: 350 million hectares by 2030.
• India’s Bonn Challenge target: 26 million hectares by 2030.
• Land restored during 2011–2020: 21.76 million hectares.

Q1. According to India’s guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects, which of the following is the regulatory authority responsible for authorisation?
A. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
B. Department of Space (DoS)
C. Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe)
D. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)

Q2. India’s first non-GMO high-expansion popcorn maize hybrid seed was launched in August 2026 in which district of Andhra Pradesh?
A. Krishna
B. Eluru
C. Guntur
D. West Godavari

Q3. Under the Bonn Challenge, India has committed to restore how much degraded and deforested land by 2030?
A. 21 million hectares
B. 24 million hectares
C. 26 million hectares
D. 30 million hectares

Q4. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched on which date?
A. 25 August 2014
B. 25 August 2015
C. 25 August 2016
D. 25 August 2017

Q5. Which institution regulates the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India?
A. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
B. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
C. Ministry of Finance
D. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)