Current Affairs - National

Sagar Manthan was launched as India’s first advanced indigenous Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The vessel was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR). Constructed at an approximate cost of ₹840 crore under the Deep Ocean Mission, it is equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, dynamic positioning, multibeam bathymetry, and multichannel seismic systems. Sagar Manthan can operate in extreme environments, including the Southern Ocean, and has a planned service life of 30 years. It is scheduled for commissioning in 2028 and will replace the 43-year-old ORV Sagar Kanya.

Poompuhar, historically known as Kaveripoompattinam, is the site of the third phase of underwater archaeological exploration conducted by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. The exploration began on September 7, 2026, off the coast of Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district. Archaeologists and trained divers are searching for submerged structures around two kilometres into the sea and diving to depths of about 10 metres. The primary objective is to uncover evidence of ancient Tamil maritime trade and identify historical port infrastructure. Poompuhar was an important Chola-period port city and is prominently associated with Sangam literature, including the Silappathikaram.

RAINCHNNAI is a rainfall-based weather futures contract launched by the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) to help manage financial risks associated with the Northeast Monsoon. The contract covers rainfall variability from September to December and is based on Cumulative Deviation Rainfall from the Long Period Average. It uses rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department’s Meenambakkam and Nungambakkam stations. The contract is cash-settled based on the CDR spot value. RAINCHNNAI complements the RAINMUMBAI contract and is particularly significant because the Northeast Monsoon contributes approximately 70% of Chennai’s annual rainfall.

Bihar and Jharkhand signed an agreement to share water from the Sone River, resolving a longstanding interstate water dispute. The agreement aims to improve irrigation and drinking water availability across several districts in both states. In Bihar, regions such as Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad, Arwal, Gaya, and Patna are expected to benefit. In Jharkhand, Palamu and Garhwa will receive water for irrigation and drinking purposes. The agreement is also considered an example of cooperative federalism, with dialogue between states being used to address water-resource and rural development needs.

Red Hexagonal is the proposed warning label shape for HFSS (High Fat, Sugar, and Salt) packaged foods under the FSSAI’s compliance proposal submitted to the Supreme Court on August 28, 2026. The warning would apply when a product is high in at least two of three specified nutrients: added sugar, added salt, or added saturated fat. The proposed label would be one point larger than the back-of-pack nutrition information and displayed in both Hindi and English. The framework is aligned with the ICMR-NIN Dietary Guidelines 2024 and uses the HFSS definition from earlier regulatory proposals and parliamentary discussions.