Current Affairs - National

Indira Gandhi International Airport secured the 5th position among the busiest airports in the Asia Pacific region in 2025, based on OAG data measuring one-way departing seat capacity. The airport recorded 46.18 million seats, marking a significant rise from its 9th rank in 2019. This growth reflects India’s expanding domestic aviation market, increasing middle-class travel demand, and improved airport infrastructure. A major contributor to this surge has been IndiGo, whose aggressive route expansion and fleet growth have boosted overall seat capacity and strengthened Delhi’s standing in regional aviation rankings.

The National Highway Quality Monitoring Portal is being developed to digitise the quality monitoring process. It will upload test reports generated by the Mobile Quality Control Vans and feature real-time GPS tracking of these vans. This system ensures transparency in inspections, prevents misuse, and allows officials to remotely monitor van movements and quality checks. The goal is to make the entire quality assurance system more accountable and data-driven for maintaining National Highway standards.

The new 3mm crab species, Galathea balasubramaniani, was discovered in Lakshadweep, specifically in the Agatti reefs. The discovery was made by researchers from the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Kochi. This tiny reef-dwelling squat lobster was named after T. Balasubramanian and plays an important ecological role in recycling organic matter within coral reef ecosystems. Its identification was confirmed through detailed DNA and morphological analysis. The finding underscores the rich yet under-explored marine biodiversity of Lakshadweep and highlights the importance of continued scientific research and conservation efforts in fragile reef habitats.

Mumbai has been selected to host The Earthshot Prize 2026, a prestigious global environmental award founded by Prince William. The announcement was made during the city’s first Mumbai Climate Week, highlighting India’s expanding leadership in climate action and sustainable innovation. The Earthshot Prize recognizes five global innovators annually, awarding each £1 million to scale transformative solutions addressing climate change, biodiversity, air pollution, ocean restoration, and waste reduction. Hosting the event underscores Mumbai’s growing role as a hub for climate dialogue and green investment, while reinforcing India’s commitment to achieving long-term environmental and sustainability goals.

The International Conference on Dam Safety 2026 was concluded in Bengaluru, attracting global experts, regulators, and practitioners in the field of dam management and water resources. The conference focused on strengthening institutional and technical frameworks under the Dam Safety Act, 2021 and the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Key discussions revolved around rehabilitation of ageing dams, sediment management strategies, real-time monitoring systems, risk-based decision-making, coordinated flood operations, and enhancing climate resilience, reflecting India’s commitment to ensuring dam safety and sustainable water infrastructure management.