The Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update 2026-2035 report warns of exceptional global heat and climate extremes for the next five years (2026-2030).

Key Details of the Update

• Released by: World Meteorological Organization (WMO), produced by the UK's Met Office.
• Key Findings:
  • 2026-2030 global temperatures will range 1.3°C to 1.9°C above pre-industrial levels.
  • A 91% probability exists of temporarily exceeding 1.5°C before 2030.
  • Arctic winters will average 2.8°C warmer than recent historical baselines.

About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• A specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).
• Hq: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mandate: Responsible for promoting international cooperation in meteorology, climatology, hydrology, and related geophysical sciences.
• Members: 193 Members, including 187 Member States and 6 Territories

In SaveLIFE Foundation v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court recognized the Right to Trauma Care as an integral part of right to life under Article 21.

• SC also direction for improving trauma care such as integration of all emergency helplines into 112, operationalisation of the PM RAHAT cashless treatment scheme and establishment of Good Samaritan grievance redressal systems.
• Article 21 guarantees the fundamental right to protection of life and personal liberty. 
• Judicial interpretations have expanded it to include the right to privacy, clean environment, etc.

Why Trauma Care matters? 

• India annually records nearly 4.67 lakh accidental deaths (NCRB).
• Nearly half of road-crash fatalities could be avoided with timely medical intervention (The Law Commission's 201st report).
• Delays in emergency care contribute to at least 30% of trauma-related deaths. (NITI Aayog-AIIMS Emergency and Injury Care Report, 2021)

Recently an albino hog deer has been spotted in Kaziranga National Park.

• Albinism is a rare, inherited genetic condition where the body produces little to no melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes.

About Hog Deer

• It gets its name from the hog-like manner in which it runs. 
• Distribution: Found across the Indo-Gangetic plains and parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. 
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I protection in India

Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has granted in-principle forest clearance to Kalai-II hydel project amid White-Bellied Heron concerns.

About Kalai-II Hydel Project

• Location: Anjaw District, Arunachal Pradesh.
• River: Lohit River (tributary of Brahmaputra).

About White- Bellied Heron

• Other names: Imperial Heron, Great White-bellied Heron.
• Current Range: Restricted to the southern foothills of the eastern Himalayas, primarily across Bhutan, Northeast India (Assam and Arunachal Pradesh), and Northern Myanmar.
• The global population is perilously small, estimated to be less than 60 individuals, with the population in India being as low as 10 individuals. 
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered.
• WPA status: Schedule-I species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Supply uncertainty from the West Asia conflict has raised concerns over nickel availability. 

About Nickel 

• Classified as a critical mineral by India.
• Features: lustrous silvery-white metal with low thermal & electrical conductivities, etc. 
• Occurance: doesn’t occur in pure native state and is derived using mond process.

• Mond process (or carbonyl process) is used to refine impure nickel into a highly pure metal through a unique two-step thermal decomposition method.

• Applications: Electric Vehicles, Stainless steel making etc. 
• Global: Indonesia has largest resources ((42%) and Production (54%).
• India: Entire demand is met through imports 

Largest resources: Found in Odisha (93%), followed by Jharkhand

INS Sudarshini arrived at Antigua and Barbuda (a Caribbean Island) under Lokayan 2026/Lokayan26.

About Lokayana26

• It is a 10-month, 22,000 nautical miles transoceanic expedition spanning 13 countries and 18 ports.
• Flagged off from Southern Naval Command, Kochi in January 2026.
• Significance: Showcases India’s prominence in global maritime activities and vision of MAHASAGAR.

About INS Sudarshini 

• It is Indian Navy’s second indigenously-built Sail Training Ship after INS Tarangini
• Built by Goa Shipyard Limited and based at Kochi.

Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Government of India, launched the Portal NeSDA, 2025.

About NeSDA 2025

• It is a biennial assessment framework by DARPG.
• Based on Online Service Index of the UN e-Government Survey.
• Objective: To measure effectiveness of e-Governance service delivery mechanisms from the citizen’s perspective.
• All Government Portals assessed under NeSDA are classified into two categories, viz., (i) State, UT, City and Central Ministry Portals and (ii) State, UT, City and Central Ministry Service Portals.
• Parameters: assesses multiple parameters across availability, accessibility and maturity of online service delivery across States, Union Territories and Central Ministries/Departments.

Covers: G2C and G2B services across key sectors

Recently National security advisor attended the 1st International security forum meeting in Russia 

About 1^st ISF

• It was held in Moscow under the Security Council of the Russian Federation.
• Participation: Representatives from 120 countries.
• Objective: to address the global security challenges  
• Note: There is another ISF which was established as a nonprofit organisation in 2016 under the patronage of the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland.

• Its primary focus via its annual summit is on transatlantic security, cooperation, and relations between Europe and North America. 

NTPC’s proposed solar project in the Banni grasslands threatens fragile ecosystem.

About Banni Grasslands 

• Located in Kutch district of Gujarat, this is a unique salt-tolerant grassland ecosystem.
• Asia’s largest tropical grassland, which has emerged from the sea due to tectonic activities.
• Inhabited by various pastoral communities, such as the Maldharis, Rabaris, Mutwas, and Meghwals. 
• Strange light phenomena (Chir Batti or Ghost lights) are observed here where mysterious lights are observed on the flats after sunset. 

Chhari Dhand wetland in the grasslands is designated as a Ramsar site in 2026