Current Affairs 30 September 2026

TRISHNA Mission

India-France space cooperation dates back to the sounding rocket experiments of the 1960s. Major achievements include the jointly developed Megha-Tropiques and SARAL satellites by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France’s National Centre for Space Studies (CNES). The third joint satellite, TRISHNA, is currently under development.

TRISHNA (Thermal Infra-Red Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural Resource Assessment) is a joint Earth observation satellite mission between India’s ISRO and France’s CNES, scheduled to launch in 2027.

France is also supporting India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, including the supply of consumables and training of flight surgeons. Indian and French teams have initiated discussions on microgravity research and parabolic flights related to human spaceflight.

This year, India and France are celebrating the Year of Innovation (2026).

Committee on Forestry 28

India highlighted its achievements in forest and landscape restoration at the 28th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Forestry — COFO 28, being held in Rome, Italy.

India’s forest and tree cover stands at 82.74 million hectares, accounting for 25.17% of its geographical area. According to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, India ranks 9th globally in forest area and 3rd in net annual forest area gain.

Under the Bonn Challenge, India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030, of which 21.76 million hectares have already been brought under restoration. Under the Aravalli Green Wall, around 6.45 million hectares of degraded land has been identified for restoration.

Key Points for Exams:

• Committee on Forestry 28 was held in Rome, Italy.
• India’s forest and tree cover: 82.74 million hectares
• India’s Share of geographical area: 25.17%
• Global rank in forest area: 9th
• Rank in net annual forest area gain: 3rd
• Bonn Challenge target: Restore 26 million hectares by 2030
• Aravalli Green Wall: About 6.45 million hectares identified for restoration

India’s Green Highways programme

India is expanding its Green Highways programme by integrating large-scale plantations, recycled construction materials, bio-bitumen and satellite-based monitoring into National Highway development. Over the last five years, more than 3.61 crore saplings have been planted along approximately 1.32 lakh km of National Highways.

India is also developing indigenous bio-bitumen technology using post-harvest rice straw. CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) jointly developed the technology. A 100-metre trial stretch using bio-bitumen has been successfully laid on the Jorabat–Shillong Expressway (NH-40) in Meghalaya.

Andhra Pradesh has also recorded significant progress. Between 2010 and 2025, it planted around 18 lakh seedlings along its National Highways, and it has targeted another 3.86 lakh saplings for 2026–27. The Six-Laning of the Chilakaluripet Bypass on NH-16 in Andhra Pradesh won First Prize in the Avenue Plantations category of the Green Highways Excellence Awards 2026.

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)

The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in FY 2021–22 for the socio-economic and educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. It is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

PM-AJAY was created by merging three earlier Centrally Sponsored Schemes:

• Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
• Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)
• Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).

The scheme has three major components:

• Development of SC-dominated villages into Adarsh Grams
• Grants-in-Aid for socio-economic projects
• construction/repair of hostels.

Exercise KAZIND-2026

• This year, the 9th Edition of Exercise Kazind was held at Oskemen, Kazakhstan
• Exercise KAZIND is a joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan.
• It focuses mainly on counter-terrorism operations and interoperability between the armed forces.
• Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country and the world’s largest landlocked country.

Q1. TRISHNA, which is currently under development, is a joint satellite mission between India and which country?
A. Japan
B. France
C. United States
D. Russia

Q2. The ninth edition of Exercise KAZIND, scheduled from 28 September to 11 October 2026, is a joint military exercise between India and which country?
A. Kyrgyzstan
B. Kazakhstan
C. Uzbekistan
D. Tajikistan

Q3. According to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025, what is India’s global rank in net annual forest area gain?
A. 1st
B. 2nd
C. 3rd
D. 5th

Q4. The 28th Session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO 28) was held in which city?
A. Geneva, Switzerland
B. Rome, Italy
C. Paris, France
D. Vienna, Austria

Q5. On which of the following expressways was a trial road stretch using indigenous bio-bitumen successfully laid?
A. Delhi–Mumbai Expressway
B. Jorabat–Shillong Expressway
C. Six Lane Chilakaluripet Bypass on NH-16
D. Bengaluru–Chennai Expressway

Q6. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is implemented by which Union Ministry?
A. Ministry of Rural Development
B. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
C. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
D. Ministry of Minority Affairs