Current Affairs 30 October 2026
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Science and Technology
India’s Emerging Space Technologies
India is rapidly advancing its space capabilities through the development of reusable launch vehicles, next-generation rockets, advanced propulsion systems, space docking technologies, satellite navigation and Earth observation systems. Led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), these innovations aim to reduce launch costs, strengthen technological self-reliance, and support future human spaceflight and space exploration missions. They also contribute to India’s goal of developing a US$44 billion space economy by 2033.
Major Emerging Space Technologies and Achievements
| Technology / Mission | Key Developments and Progress |
|---|---|
| Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) | Approved in September 2024 with an outlay of ₹8,240 crore. Designed to carry 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO); a partially reusable variant is planned with a 14-tonne capacity. |
| Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) – Pushpak | ISRO completed three autonomous runway-landing experiments between 2023 and 2024, demonstrating reusable launch vehicle technologies. |
| Scramjet Technology | India successfully flight-tested a scramjet engine in August 2016, achieving Mach 6. The technology uses atmospheric oxygen for hypersonic propulsion. |
| Electric Propulsion | ISRO completed a 1,000-hour life test of its indigenous 300 millinewton stationary plasma thruster in March 2025 to improve satellite propulsion efficiency. |
| Green Propulsion | Development of alternative propellants, including ISROSENE (rocket-grade kerosene), for future space missions. |
| Nuclear Space Technologies | ISRO and the Department of Atomic Energy are collaborating on Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) and Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) for future missions. |
| Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) | India became the fourth country to demonstrate space docking on 16 January 2025. Autonomous docking and bidirectional power transfer were demonstrated in April 2025. |
| NavIC Navigation System | India’s indigenous regional satellite navigation system provides positioning, navigation and timing services across India and up to 1,500 km beyond the mainland. |
| NISAR Satellite | Launched on 30 July 2025. The NASA–ISRO mission uses dual-frequency L-band and S-band radar for Earth observation. |
| Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) | Launched in November 2018; uses multiple narrow spectral bands for agricultural, environmental and geological observations. |
India’s space sector is also expanding through private participation. As of 31 March 2026, cumulative investment in Indian space startups had reached approximately US$618.5 million. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) had signed 118 technology-transfer agreements covering 83 ISRO-developed technologies.
India’s First Gene-Edited Rice Varieties
India is advancing agricultural biotechnology through CRISPR-based gene editing and apomixis technology to improve crop productivity, climate resilience and food security. In 2025, India introduced two gene-edited rice varieties, DRR Dhan-100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice-1, developed by scientists under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). These varieties aim to improve yields while reducing dependence on water, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs.
India’s Gene-Edited Rice Varieties
| Variety | Major Features |
|---|---|
| DRR Dhan-100 (Kamala) | Matures in approximately 130 days compared with 150 days for the original variety. Produces nearly 20% higher yields, around 5.4 tonnes per hectare, while reducing water and labour requirements. |
| Pusa DST Rice-1 | Developed for improved tolerance to saline and alkaline soils. Demonstrated approximately 10–30% higher yields than comparison varieties under such conditions. |
Another emerging technology is apomixis, a form of asexual seed reproduction that allows plants to produce seeds without normal fertilisation. It can preserve hybrid vigour (heterosis) across generations, enabling farmers to potentially reuse seeds from high-yielding hybrid crops without losing desirable characteristics.
Environment
Salt Marshes
A new study published in the scientific journal Nature has highlighted the importance of salt marshes as natural coastal barriers against powerful ocean waves and storm surges. Researchers from Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands, found that salt marsh vegetation and its extensive root systems can reduce wave energy and prevent coastal soil erosion, even during extreme storms.
Salt marshes are coastal wetlands regularly flooded by seawater and dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation, known as halophytes. They provide important ecosystem services, including coastal protection, sediment stabilisation and wildlife habitat. In India, salt marshes cover approximately 290 sq. km, with the largest areas in Gujarat and smaller stretches in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Vikasit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PMVGSY)
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Pradhan Mantri Vikasit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PMVGSY) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) to strengthen grassroots governance and rural development. The scheme will be implemented from 2026–27 to 2030–31, coinciding with the tenure of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹7,395.55 crore, comprising a Central share of ₹4,869.48 crore and a State share of ₹2,526.07 crore. It aims to strengthen the governance capacity of approximately 32 lakh elected representatives, Panchayat officials and other stakeholders associated with more than 2.55 lakh Panchayats and traditional local bodies.
Under PMVGSY, approximately 2.55 lakh comprehensive Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) will be prepared annually through the eGramSwaraj portal. These plans will integrate village priorities, government schemes, available financial resources and development requirements. The scheme will also facilitate at least 2.55 lakh online audit plans annually through the AuditOnline platform, improving transparency, financial accountability and Panchayats’ Own Source Revenue (OSR).
The scheme will use Pancham, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based multilingual, two-way communication platform supporting 17 Indian languages, to improve awareness of government programmes. Each coordinated awareness campaign aims to reach at least 1 crore citizens. Capacity-building programmes will strengthen participatory planning, digital governance, resource management and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
PMVGSY will cover all States and Union Territories, including traditional rural local bodies in areas where the Panchayati Raj system does not apply. Implementation will be undertaken through State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, with annual action plans reviewed by a Central Empowered Committee. The scheme is also intended to help Panchayats effectively utilise the approximately ₹4.35 lakh crore in rural local body grants recommended by the Sixteenth Finance Commission for 2026–31.
Key Points for Exams:
- Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Vikasit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PMVGSY).
- Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
- Implementation period: 2026–27 to 2030–31.
- Total outlay: ₹7,395.55 crore.
- Coverage: All States and Union Territories, including eligible traditional rural local bodies.
- Annual target: 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayat Development Plans through eGramSwaraj.
- Digital initiatives: AuditOnline for audits and Pancham for AI-based communication in 17 Indian languages.
- Sixteenth Finance Commission: Approximately ₹4.35 lakh crore recommended as grants for rural local bodies during 2026–31.
Khelo India Sports Equipment Manufacturing Scheme
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Khelo India Sports Equipment Manufacturing Scheme with a total financial outlay of ₹1,856.67 crore for the period 2026 to 2033–34. Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, the scheme aims to strengthen India’s domestic sports equipment manufacturing industry by promoting investment, innovation, employment and exports.
The scheme envisages the establishment of Dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs) to develop integrated manufacturing clusters.
Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS)
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) with a proposed financial outlay of ₹10,000 crore. Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, the scheme aims to develop a globally competitive container manufacturing industry in India, reduce import dependence and strengthen maritime logistics and supply chains.
The scheme will support the establishment of new container manufacturing units (greenfield projects) and the expansion of existing manufacturing facilities (brownfield projects). Under the Interest Subvention Assistance (ISA) component, an allocation of ₹859 crore will provide a 3% annual interest subsidy on eligible term loans taken by container manufacturers for capacity creation and expansion.
Miscellaneous
Recharge Mobile App
Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil has launched the Recharge mobile application, developed by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) in collaboration with the National Water Mission (NWM). The initiative aims to promote scientific groundwater recharge planning through geospatial technology.
The Recharge application enables users to identify potential artificial groundwater recharge areas within a radius of up to 3 kilometres and determine suitable recharge structures based on local geographical and hydrological conditions.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz
Q1. What is the total financial outlay approved by the Union Cabinet for the Pradhan Mantri Vikasit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PMVGSY) for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31?
A. ₹5,395.55 crore
B. ₹6,395.55 crore
C. ₹7,395.55 crore
D. ₹8,395.55 crore
Show Answer
Answer: C. ₹7,395.55 crore
Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Vikasit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PMVGSY) with a total outlay of ₹7,395.55 crore, comprising a Central share of ₹4,869.48 crore and a State share of ₹2,526.07 crore.
Q2. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Vikasit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PMVGSY), consider the following statements:
1. The scheme aims to strengthen financial accountability in Panchayats by facilitating online audit plans through the AuditOnline platform.
2. The scheme applies only to States where the Panchayati Raj system operates under Part IX of the Constitution.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: A. 1 only
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct. PMVGSY aims to strengthen transparency and financial accountability by facilitating the preparation of at least 2.55 lakh online audit plans annually through the AuditOnline platform. Statement 2 is incorrect. The scheme covers all States and Union Territories, including traditional rural local bodies in areas where the Panchayati Raj system under Part IX of the Constitution does not apply. The scheme has a total approved outlay of ₹7,395.55 crore for 2026–27 to 2030–31.
Q3. With reference to the Khelo India Sports Equipment Manufacturing Scheme, consider the following statements:
1. The scheme has been approved with a total financial outlay of ₹1,856.67 crore for the period 2026 to 2033–34.
2. The scheme proposes Dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs) to promote cluster-based manufacturing and integrated industrial infrastructure.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct. The Union Cabinet approved the Khelo India Sports Equipment Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of ₹1,856.67 crore for the period 2026 to 2033–34. The scheme proposes Dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs) to integrate manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities and research centres.
Q4. With reference to the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS), consider the following statements:
1. The scheme provides a 3% annual interest subsidy on eligible term loans for setting up new container manufacturing units or expanding existing facilities.
2. The scheme aims to increase India’s annual domestic container manufacturing capacity to 7.5 lakh Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct. Under the Interest Subvention Assistance (ISA) component of CMPS, eligible container manufacturers will receive a 3% annual interest subsidy on term loans for greenfield and brownfield projects. The scheme also targets a nearly tenfold increase in annual domestic container manufacturing capacity to 7.5 lakh TEUs.
Q5. The ‘Recharge’ mobile application, developed to promote scientific groundwater recharge planning using geospatial technology, was launched under which of the following Union Ministries?
A. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
B. Ministry of Rural Development
C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
D. Ministry of Jal Shakti
Show Answer
Answer: D. Ministry of Jal Shakti
Explanation: The Recharge mobile application was launched by Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil. It was developed by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) in collaboration with the National Water Mission (NWM).
Q6. With reference to India’s emerging space technologies, consider the following statements:
1. The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is designed to carry up to 30 tonnes of payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
2. India became the fourth country in the world to demonstrate space docking through ISRO’s SpaDeX mission.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct. The NGLV, approved in September 2024 with an outlay of ₹8,240 crore, is designed to carry up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit, compared with the 10-tonne capacity of LVM3. On 16 January 2025, ISRO successfully demonstrated satellite docking through the SpaDeX mission, making India the fourth country after the United States, Russia and China to achieve this capability.
Q7. Match the following Indian space technologies with their respective features:
List-I (Space Technology)
1. Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV)
2. Scramjet Propulsion
3. Pushpak
4. SpaDeX
List-II (Feature)
a. Autonomous docking of two spacecraft in orbit
b. Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) landing experiments
c. Air-breathing propulsion using atmospheric oxygen
d. Launch vehicle designed to carry up to 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A. 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a
B. 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
C. 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a
D. 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d
Show Answer
Answer: A. 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a
Explanation:
1. NGLV – (d): ISRO’s Next Generation Launch Vehicle is designed to carry up to 30 tonnes of payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
2. Scramjet Propulsion – (c): A Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (Scramjet) is an air-breathing engine that uses atmospheric oxygen for combustion at hypersonic speeds.
3. Pushpak – (b): Pushpak is ISRO’s Reusable Launch Vehicle technology demonstrator, which successfully completed three autonomous landing experiments between 2023 and 2024.
4. SpaDeX – (a): The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) demonstrated spacecraft docking on 16 January 2025, making India the fourth country to achieve this capability.
Q8. With reference to recent developments in agricultural biotechnology, consider the following statements:
1. DRR Dhan-100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice-1 are India’s first gene-edited rice varieties, introduced in 2025.
2. Apomixis is a process of asexual seed formation in plants without normal fertilisation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct. In 2025, India introduced its first gene-edited rice varieties, DRR Dhan-100 (Kamala) and Pusa DST Rice-1, developed using CRISPR-based genome-editing technology. Apomixis is a form of asexual reproduction in which seeds develop without normal fertilisation.
Q9. With reference to salt marshes in India, consider the following statements:
1. Salt marshes are coastal wetlands dominated by salt-tolerant vegetation known as halophytes.
2. Gujarat has the largest coastal salt marsh areas in India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct. Salt marshes are coastal wetlands dominated by salt-tolerant plants called halophytes. They act as natural coastal barriers by reducing wave energy, stabilising sediments and preventing coastal erosion. Gujarat has India’s largest coastal salt marsh areas, while smaller stretches occur in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. A 2020 study estimated India’s total salt marsh area at approximately 290 sq. km.
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Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.
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