Saturday, 25 July 2026 Current Affairs, GK Notes & MCQ Quiz

Today’s edition covers water risks in global mining, India’s female workforce challenge, AI in Punjab schools, chemical parks, defence testing, public health, parliamentary procedure, examination integrity, Kutki conservation and Spain’s wildfire-linked geography. The focus is on prelims-ready facts and mains themes across sustainable mining, labour participation, governance, security, health, biodiversity and mapping.

Topics in this edition

  1. Women’s Work Participation in India (own page)
  2. Punjab Introduces AI as a Mainstream School Subject (own page)
  3. BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme (own page)
  4. Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (own page)
  5. Chandipura Virus (own page)
  6. Rajya Sabha Rule 176 and Rule 267 (own page)
  7. Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (own page)
  8. Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) Conservation (own page)
  9. Spain: Geography and Wildfire Crisis (own page)

Current affairs

Women’s Work Participation in India

An economist highlighted that India’s goal of becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047 cannot be achieved without structurally increasing women’s work participation. India’s female Work Participation Rate has remained low due to weak labour-intensive job creation, social constraints and a distress-driven shift into unpaid agricultural work.

Quick highlights

  • Women’s work participation means the share of the female working-age population engaged in paid, productive employment.
  • A 10-percentage-point increase in female WPR could add nearly 2 percentage points directly to national GDP growth.
  • Young women aged 15-29 who were neither looking for work nor in education rose from under 70 million before 2004 to over 100 million by 2018.
  • The post-2020 rise in female participation was largely distress-driven and concentrated in unpaid family labour in agriculture.
  • Tamil Nadu has only 5%-6% of India’s population but hosts over 40% of the country’s female factory workforce.
  • The way forward includes labour-intensive manufacturing, working-women hostels, safe transport, education and health investment.

Context

The article highlights that India’s economic objective of becoming a developed nation by 2047 cannot be achieved unless women’s work participation rises structurally and shifts into formal, paid, productive employment.

Key Facts

India’s female Work Participation Rate has followed a U-shaped structural pattern, declining as rural women exited manual agricultural work without sufficient absorption in formal non-farm or manufacturing jobs. A 10-percentage-point rise in female WPR could add nearly 2 percentage points to GDP growth, while inactive young women aged 15-29 exceeded 100 million by 2018.

Significance

Higher female workforce participation expands labour supply, raises household income, stimulates consumer demand and savings, improves child nutrition, health and education, and strengthens workplace productivity and innovation.

Challenges / Way Forward

Major constraints include capital-intensive growth, decline of labour-intensive manufacturing, farm mechanisation, limited non-farm jobs, gender norms, mobility barriers and lack of safe housing and transport. The way forward is to support garments, footwear, food processing and light electronics, replicate Tamil Nadu-style women-enabling industrial infrastructure, and invest in public health and basic education.

Exam Angle

Relevant for GS Paper I and II themes on women and associated issues, social empowerment, employment, demographic dividend and inclusive growth.

Remember this

  • Female WPR refers to women in the working-age population engaged in paid, productive employment.
  • A 10-percentage-point rise in female WPR could add nearly 2 percentage points to GDP growth.
  • Inactive young women aged 15-29 crossed 100 million by 2018.
  • Post-2020 female participation rise was largely linked to unpaid family labour in agriculture.
  • Tamil Nadu hosts over 40% of India’s female factory workforce despite having 5%-6% of the population.
  • Safe hostels and transport are key women-enabling infrastructure.
  • Labour-intensive manufacturing is central to shifting women out of unpaid farm work.

Punjab Introduces AI as a Mainstream School Subject

Punjab became the first Indian state to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII under the Sarbat.AI initiative. The programme aims to build AI-literate, innovation-driven and ethically responsible students through a phased curriculum and large-scale teacher training.

Quick highlights

  • Punjab launched Sarbat.AI as India’s first statewide initiative to make AI a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII.
  • Phase I covers Classes VIII-XII through the Computer Science curriculum, followed by Classes I-VII.
  • The curriculum draws on practices from Singapore, Finland, the UAE and the US and is aligned with UNESCO’s Ethical AI Framework.
  • The programme uses live online classes, recorded lectures, project-based learning, continuous assessments and an LMS.
  • It will benefit 25,172 schools and 31.5 lakh students.
  • 12,424 Computer Science teachers will be initially trained and over 2 lakh teachers will be progressively upskilled.

Context

Punjab became the first Indian state to introduce Artificial Intelligence as a mainstream school subject from Classes I to XII under the Sarbat.AI initiative.

Key Facts

Sarbat.AI integrates AI into school curricula to provide future-ready technological skills. It will begin with Classes VIII-XII through Computer Science and later extend to Classes I-VII with age-appropriate AI education. The programme covers 25,172 schools and 31.5 lakh students.

Significance

The initiative aims to build an AI-literate, innovation-driven and ethically responsible student community. It positions Punjab as a leader in AI-enabled school education while promoting access to advanced technologies across urban and rural schools.

Challenges / Way Forward

Effective implementation depends on teacher capacity building, digital learning systems, age-appropriate content and continuous assessment. The programme includes initial training for 12,424 Computer Science teachers and progressive upskilling of over 2 lakh teachers.

Exam Angle

Relevant for GS Paper II topics such as education policy, Digital India and human resource development, and GS Paper III topics such as artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, innovation, digital economy and skill development.

Remember this

  • Punjab is the first Indian state to introduce AI as a mainstream subject from Classes I to XII.
  • The initiative is called Sarbat.AI.
  • Phase I covers Classes VIII-XII through the Computer Science curriculum.
  • The curriculum is aligned with UNESCO’s Ethical AI Framework.
  • 25,172 schools and 31.5 lakh students are expected to benefit.
  • 12,424 Computer Science teachers will be initially trained.
  • Over 2 lakh teachers are to be progressively upskilled.

BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme

The Union Cabinet approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan scheme to develop modern chemical and petrochemical industrial parks. The central sector scheme will provide capital support for plug-and-play infrastructure, common utilities and environmentally compliant chemical manufacturing clusters.

Quick highlights

  • BHAVYA-Rasayan is a central sector industrial park development scheme for chemical and petrochemical manufacturing.
  • It is implemented by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  • The implementation period is five years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
  • The scheme has a total outlay of ₹3,030 crore, including ₹3,000 crore for common infrastructure and basic utilities.
  • It will set up three specialised chemical industrial parks through a Challenge Route selection framework.
  • Each park can receive up to ₹1,000 crore central support if the state provides a minimum matching grant of ₹500 crore.

Context

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan, or BHAVYA-Rasayan Scheme.

Key Facts

The scheme is a central sector industrial park development programme for expanding chemical and petrochemical manufacturing. It will run from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 with a ₹3,030 crore outlay and will support three specialised chemical parks. States must provide at least 8 sq. km. or 2,000 acres of encumbrance-free land for each park.

Significance

Chemical clusters can strengthen domestic raw material supply for agriculture, textiles and electronics, reduce import dependence, attract domestic and foreign direct investment, lower logistics costs and improve India’s role in global value chains.

Challenges / Way Forward

The scheme depends on state participation, land availability and matching grants. Shared infrastructure such as Common Effluent Treatment Plants, Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities, solvent recovery plants, steam systems, pipelines, logistics and warehousing facilities is intended to reduce pollution and improve environmental compliance.

Exam Angle

Important for prelims under government schemes and for GS Paper III themes on industrial policy, manufacturing, logistics, import substitution, environmental compliance and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Remember this

  • BHAVYA stands for Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana Rasayan.
  • It is a central sector scheme.
  • Nodal department: Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  • Implementation period: FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31.
  • Total allocation: ₹3,030 crore.
  • Three dedicated chemical industrial parks are proposed.
  • Central grant can be up to ₹1,000 crore per park.
  • Minimum land requirement per park: 8 sq. km. or 2,000 acres.

Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile

DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha. Project Kusha is India’s indigenously developed, automated and scalable long-range air defence missile system aimed at strengthening a multi-layered national air defence shield.

Quick highlights

  • DRDO conducted the maiden flight test of Kusha LR-SAM from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.
  • Project Kusha is often described as India’s indigenous answer to the Russian S-400 Triumf.
  • It is a fully automated, scalable surface-to-air missile ecosystem to detect, track and destroy aerial threats.
  • The system has three variants: M1 up to 150 km, M2 up to 250 km and M3 up to 350 km.
  • It includes indigenous AESA radars, command and control centres, battle-management software and precision missile seekers.
  • The aim is to reduce reliance on foreign air defence imports and protect critical civilian and strategic assets.

Context

The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Kusha Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

Key Facts

Project Kusha is an indigenously developed long-range air defence missile system. It is being developed by DRDO with public and private defence industry partners and validated from the Integrated Test Range in Odisha. It has M1, M2 and M3 interceptor variants with ranges up to 150 km, 250 km and 350 km respectively.

Significance

The system is designed to detect, track and destroy enemy aerial threats at standoff distances. It supports a multi-layered national air defence shield and aligns with the vision of an integrated Sudarshan Chakra national air umbrella.

Challenges / Way Forward

The system must perform across varied altitudes and against fast-moving targets such as low-flying cruise missiles and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. Its indigenous subsystems, including AESA radars, command and control centres, battle-management software and seekers, are central to operational readiness.

Exam Angle

Relevant for GS Paper III under defence technology, indigenisation, missile systems, air defence, strategic security and defence manufacturing.

Remember this

  • Kusha LR-SAM was flight-tested by DRDO.
  • Test location: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha.
  • Project Kusha is a long-range surface-to-air missile system.
  • M1 range: up to 150 km.
  • M2 range: up to 250 km.
  • M3 range: up to 350 km.
  • It is compared with the Russian S-400 Triumf.
  • It supports the Sudarshan Chakra national air umbrella vision.

Chandipura Virus

Nine deaths, including two young girls from Rajasthan receiving treatment in Gujarat, were confirmed due to a Chandipura virus outbreak. CHPV is a vector-borne Rhabdoviridae family virus that causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and is especially dangerous for children below 15 years of age.

Quick highlights

  • CHPV belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, the same family as the rabies-causing Lyssavirus.
  • It causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome, a rapid and life-threatening inflammation of active brain tissues.
  • It was first isolated in 1965 from Chandipura village in Maharashtra.
  • Major outbreaks occurred in 2003-2004 across Maharashtra, northern Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with CFRs of 55%-78%.
  • It spreads mainly through infected female Phlebotomine sandflies and select mosquito species such as Aedes aegypti.
  • There is no approved antiviral drug or preventive vaccine; treatment is supportive and symptomatic.

Context

Nine deaths, including two young girls from Rajasthan receiving treatment in Gujarat, were confirmed due to the Chandipura virus outbreak.

Key Facts

The Chandipura virus is an acute vector-borne pathogen of the Rhabdoviridae family. It causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and was first isolated in 1965 from human serum samples during an outbreak in Chandipura village, Maharashtra. It is endemic to central and western India, especially rural, tribal and peripheral areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

Significance

CHPV almost exclusively targets children below 15 years of age and can progress from fever, headache, body ache and vomiting to seizures, altered sensorium, brain inflammation and death within 24 to 48 hours of hospital admission.

Challenges / Way Forward

There is no approved antiviral drug or preventive vaccine for CHPV. Treatment depends on emergency supportive care in intensive care units, while prevention requires attention to vector breeding conditions such as cracked mud walls, cattle sheds and kutcha rural housing during the monsoon.

Exam Angle

Important for prelims and GS Paper III under science and technology, public health, vector-borne diseases, Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and outbreak management.

Remember this

  • CHPV belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family.
  • It causes Acute Encephalitis Syndrome.
  • First isolated in 1965 at Chandipura village, Maharashtra.
  • Main vector: infected female Phlebotomine sandflies.
  • Aedes aegypti is also mentioned as a select mosquito vector.
  • Children below 15 years are highly vulnerable.
  • CHPV does not transmit directly from human to human.
  • There is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral.

Rajya Sabha Rule 176 and Rule 267

Disputes often arise between the Opposition and the Union Government over whether urgent public issues in the Rajya Sabha should be discussed under Rule 176 or Rule 267. Rule 176 allows short-duration discussion without disrupting the listed agenda, while Rule 267 enables suspension of listed business for an urgent matter with the Chairman’s consent.

Quick highlights

  • Rule 267 allows suspension of the listed business of the day to immediately discuss a matter of urgent public importance.
  • Rule 267 requires prior consent of the Rajya Sabha Chairman and may lead to a formal motion and vote.
  • Rule 176 provides for short-duration discussion on urgent matters without disrupting the scheduled agenda.
  • Under Rule 176, notice must be submitted to the Secretary-General with an explanatory note and support of at least two members.
  • Rule 176 debates are capped at a maximum of 2.5 hours and have no formal vote.
  • Lok Sabha equivalents include Rule 193 for short-duration discussion and Adjournment Motion under Rule 56.

Context

Disagreements frequently arise between the Opposition and the Union Government over how urgent public issues should be raised in Parliament, especially whether the Rajya Sabha should use Rule 176 or Rule 267.

Key Facts

Rule 267 permits a member to move a motion to suspend the day’s listed business for urgent public importance, subject to the Chairman’s prior consent. Rule 176 allows short-duration discussion without setting aside scheduled business; it requires written notice, an explanatory note and support from at least two members, and is capped at 2.5 hours.

Significance

Rule 267 carries greater political weight because it suspends regular business and can involve a formal vote. Rule 176 allows discussion and ministerial reply while preserving the House agenda.

Challenges / Way Forward

The key issue is balancing urgent accountability demands with smooth conduct of legislative business. The choice of procedural device affects time allocation, voting possibility and the political visibility of the issue.

Exam Angle

Important for GS Paper II and prelims under Parliament, rules of procedure, Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha equivalents, motions and legislative accountability.

Remember this

  • Rule 267: Suspension of Rules in Rajya Sabha.
  • Rule 176: Short-Duration Discussion in Rajya Sabha.
  • Rule 267 requires prior consent of the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
  • Rule 176 debate limit is 2.5 hours.
  • Rule 176 has no formal motion or vote.
  • Rule 267 can lead to a formal motion and vote.
  • Lok Sabha Rule 193 is the equivalent of short-duration discussion.
  • Lok Sabha Rule 56 relates to Adjournment Motion.

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024

Following public outrage over paper leaks in competitive entrance tests such as NEET-UG, the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The Act is central legislation to curb paper leaks, cheating and organised malpractices in national recruitment and entrance examinations.

Quick highlights

  • The Act targets paper leaks, cheating and organised malpractices in national recruitment and entrance examinations.
  • It applies to public examinations conducted by bodies such as UPSC, SSC, RRBs, NTA, IBPS and central government departments.
  • Unfair means include question paper or answer key leaks, assistance to candidates, computer network tampering, fake portals and falsified merit lists.
  • Individuals involved in unfair means face 3 to 5 years of imprisonment and a fine up to ₹10 lakh.
  • Service providers can face fines up to ₹1 crore, recovery of examination costs and a 4-year ban from conducting public examinations.
  • Offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.

Context

The Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, after public outrage over paper leaks in competitive entrance tests such as NEET-UG.

Key Facts

The Act is central legislation passed by Parliament to curb paper leaks, cheating and organised malpractices in public examinations. It applies to bodies such as UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, National Testing Agency, Institute of Banking Personnel Selection and central government departments and their attached offices.

Significance

The law aims to deter organised syndicates, cheating networks and rogue service providers from compromising examination integrity. It seeks to ensure transparent and merit-based selection for students and job aspirants.

Challenges / Way Forward

The Act provides penalties for individuals, service providers and management personnel, property attachment for institutions or commercial coaching centres involved in organised cheating, and investigation by officers not below DSP or ACP rank, with provision for transfer to agencies such as the CBI.

Exam Angle

Important for prelims under government Acts and Bills and for GS Paper II themes on governance, transparency, accountability, public institutions and examination reforms.

Remember this

  • The Act was enacted in 2024.
  • It targets public examination paper leaks and organised cheating.
  • Covered bodies include UPSC, SSC, RRBs, NTA and IBPS.
  • Individual punishment: 3 to 5 years’ imprisonment and fine up to ₹10 lakh.
  • Service provider fine can go up to ₹1 crore.
  • Service providers may face a 4-year ban from conducting public examinations.
  • Organised crime punishment under the Act is 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment and minimum fine of ₹1 crore.
  • Offences are cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.

Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa) Conservation

Farmers in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh pioneered a sustainable stolon-based cultivation and harvesting model for Kutki. Kutki is an endangered high-value Himalayan medicinal herb known in Ayurveda as Katuki or Katukarohini.

Quick highlights

  • Kutki’s botanical name is Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth.
  • It is also known in Ayurveda as Katuki or Katukarohini.
  • It grows in alpine and sub-alpine Himalayan regions at 2,700-4,500 metres.
  • It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and in CITES Appendix II.
  • The active drug component is in the stolon, not the non-medicinal fibrous root.
  • The Mandi model harvests lateral creeping stolons while leaving the mother rhizome intact for regeneration.

Context

Farmers in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh pioneered a sustainable, stolon-based cultivation and harvesting model for Kutki, or Picrorhiza kurroa.

Key Facts

Kutki is a high-value creeping perennial medicinal herb known as Katuki or Katukarohini in Ayurveda. It is native to cold alpine and sub-alpine Himalayan regions at 2,700-4,500 metres, especially moist, rocky, north-west facing slopes with well-drained porous sandy-clay soil.

Significance

Kutki is a renowned Ayurvedic liver tonic used for hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver disorders and is a key ingredient in Arogyavardhani Vati. It also has uses linked to chronic fever, diabetes, asthma, cough, digestive disorders and inflammatory skin diseases.

Challenges / Way Forward

Kutki is Endangered due to severe population decline caused by overexploitation and destructive wild harvesting. The new model harvests only lateral stolons while keeping the mother rhizome in the soil, allowing regeneration and turning Kutki into a multi-year perennial crop.

Exam Angle

Important for prelims under species in news, IUCN status, CITES, Himalayan biodiversity, medicinal plants, sustainable harvesting and conservation-linked livelihoods.

Remember this

  • Botanical name: Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth.
  • Ayurvedic names: Katuki and Katukarohini.
  • Habitat elevation: 2,700-4,500 metres.
  • Indian distribution includes Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.
  • IUCN status: Endangered.
  • CITES status: Appendix II.
  • Medicinal component is the stolon, not the fibrous root.
  • Kutki contains Picroside I and Picroside II.

Spain: Geography and Wildfire Crisis

Spain declared a national emergency for the first time due to raging wildfires across Madrid and Ávila provinces that forced thousands of evacuations. The mapping topic highlights Spain’s location on the Iberian Peninsula, its borders, seas, islands, mountain systems and major rivers.

Quick highlights

  • Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.
  • Its capital is Madrid, and the wildfire emergency affected Madrid and Ávila provinces.
  • Spain borders Portugal, France, Andorra and Gibraltar.
  • Its coastlines face the Bay of Biscay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Major islands and territories include the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.
  • Key features include the Meseta Central, Pyrenees, Baetic Cordillera, Mulhacén Peak, Teide Peak and rivers such as Tagus and Ebro.

Context

Spain declared a national emergency for the first time due to wildfires across Madrid and Ávila provinces, forcing thousands of evacuations.

Key Facts

Spain is a sovereign transcontinental country in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, with territories extending into the Atlantic Ocean and North Africa. It is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy and a major European Union member. Its capital is Madrid.

Significance

Spain lies at the junction of the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, Europe and North Africa and controls the vital Strait of Gibraltar. It is also a leading producer of olive oil, wine, citrus fruits and renewable energy, and is a major tourism destination.

Challenges / Way Forward

The immediate challenge reported was wildfire emergency and evacuation across Madrid and Ávila provinces. For exam preparation, Spain’s physical geography, borders, coastlines, islands and strategic maritime location should be revised together.

Exam Angle

Useful for mapping questions on the Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, Strait of Gibraltar, Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and major Spanish rivers.

Remember this

  • Official name: Kingdom of Spain.
  • Capital: Madrid.
  • Location: Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe.
  • Borders: Portugal, France, Andorra and Gibraltar.
  • Coastlines: Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
  • Highest point on all Spanish territory: Teide Peak at 3,718 metres in the Canary Islands.
  • Highest elevation in peninsular Spain: Mulhacén Peak at 3,481 metres.
  • Major rivers include Tagus, Douro, Guadiana, Guadalquivir and Ebro.

General knowledge

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