Current Affairs - National

A report warns that India may face a significant rise in obesity-related health problems among children and adolescents by the year 2030. The projections indicate a sharp increase in metabolic and cardiovascular conditions such as MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease), high triglycerides, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. These conditions are linked to lifestyle changes, including increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, reduced physical activity, and rising sedentary habits due to screen time and urban lifestyles. India is experiencing a rapid nutrition transition along with a “double burden” where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist. If preventive measures are not strengthened, these early health risks could lead to a substantial increase in heart disease, diabetes, and liver disorders in adulthood.

The Brahmaputra River is the river where India will establish its first riverine lighthouses as part of the National Waterway-2 project. The initiative includes the construction of four solar-powered lighthouses at Pandu, Bogibeel, Silghat, and Biswanath Ghat with an investment of ₹84 crore. Each lighthouse will be approximately 20 metres tall and will help guide vessels during nighttime and challenging weather conditions. The project is implemented by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships in partnership with the Inland Waterways Authority of India. It aims to improve navigation safety, boost cargo movement, such as tea and fertiliser, and promote tourism along the Brahmaputra river corridor in Northeast India.

Kempegowda International Airport entered into a strategic cargo partnership with Frankfurt Airport to strengthen air cargo connectivity between Europe and India. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 25 February 2026 on the sidelines of Air Cargo India 2026 in Mumbai. The collaboration focuses on digitalisation, regulatory optimisation, pharma cargo integrity standards, joint trade lane analytics, and knowledge exchange. This partnership aims to create a more integrated and efficient cargo corridor, reduce dwell times, enhance predictability for airlines and freight forwarders, and support the growing trade volumes between the two regions.

1 April 2026 marks the official nationwide rollout of E20 petrol with a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95 across all petrol pumps in India. The mandate requires every retail outlet, including public sector units and private oil marketing companies, to replace regular E10 petrol with E20 as the standard grade. This move is a major milestone under the Ethanol Blending Programme aimed at reducing crude oil imports, lowering carbon emissions, supporting farmers through higher ethanol demand, and enhancing engine performance with higher-octane fuel. Higher ethanol blends and special fuels remain outside this mandate.

60th rank was secured by India among 84 countries in the Global Mind Health 2025 assessment focusing on young adults aged 18–34 years. The ranking places the country in the lower-middle tier globally, highlighting significant mental health challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness among youth. The report, prepared by the Sapien Labs Centre for the Future of Mental Health, is based on responses from over one million adults using the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) tool. It emphasises socioeconomic pressures, cultural stigma, limited access to care, and modern lifestyle factors influencing declining mental well-being among younger generations.